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The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been a tournament of firsts, the first with 48 teams, the first hosted across three nations, and now the first to send its final off with a full-scale closing ceremony built for a global stage.
As the tournament’s 48 teams narrow down to a single winner at New York New Jersey Stadium, FIFA is staging a closing ceremony before kick-off to send off the biggest World Cup in history in style.
With Hollywood names, chart-topping musicians and a viral internet personality all confirmed to appear, here’s everything fans need to know about the closing ceremony ahead of Sunday’s final.
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When is the World Cup closing ceremony?
The closing ceremony takes place on Sunday, 19 July, at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium). It begins at 18:30 BST – roughly 90 minutes before the 8pm kick-off between the two finalists.
What is the closing ceremony?
Produced in creative partnership with Balich Wonder Studio, the ceremony is billed as a celebration of the 48 teams’ journey across the three host nations and 16 host cities over the course of the tournament. FIFA World Cup 2026 chief operating officer Heimo Schirgi said the show is designed to bring the tournament full circle, echoing the spirit of the opening ceremony before the trophy is finally lifted.
Who is performing at the closing ceremony of the World Cup final?
- Post Malone – headlining the ceremony
- Tom Cruise – making a “special appearance,” in a similar vein to his stunt at the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics
- Robbie Williams – returning to a World Cup stage having also performed at Russia 2018’s opening ceremony
- Nicole Scherzinger
- Laura Pausini
- IShowSpeed – the streamer’s involvement reflects FIFA’s push to bring in younger, online-native audiences alongside traditional performers
- Jennifer Hudson – the EGOT winner will sing the US national anthem immediately before kick-off
Closing ceremony vs half-time show: what’s the difference?
Worth noting that 2026 also introduces the World Cup’s first-ever half-time show, held during the final itself rather than before it. That segment is curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin in partnership with Global Citizen, and features Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and BTS among its headliners, with half-time extended to accommodate it.
The two shows are separate productions, so you should expect star power both before and during the match.
Who is playing in the World Cup 2026 final?
Spain will take on Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, 19 July.
Spain reached the final with a 2-0 semi-final win over France, their first appearance in a World Cup final since they won the tournament in 2010. Argentina edged past England 2-1, and will be aiming to become the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.
It also sets up a first World Cup meeting between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, two generations of Spanish-linked footballing talent sharing the same pitch in what could be Messi’s last World Cup appearance.