Tom Cruise to Star in Pre‑Match Closing Ceremony
The 2026 FIFA World Cup closing ceremony will take place before the final on Sunday, July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium, celebrating the journey of the 48 teams across three host countries and 16 host cities.
The ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m., ninety minutes before kickoff, and will feature a star‑studded lineup.
Star of Top Gun, Tom Cruise, will make a special appearance in the pre‑match ceremony, adding Hollywood glamour to the event.
Music and Star Power
Italian singer‑songwriter Laura Pausini, Pussycat Dolls alum Nicole Scherzinger, English songwriter Robbie Williams and YouTube creator IShowSpeed are slated to perform.
EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson will deliver a special rendition of the United States National Anthem just before the final.
Canadian pop icon Justin Bieber is set to co‑headline the first ever World Cup halftime show alongside Madonna, Shakira and BTS.
Nigerian star Burna Boy will join Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the PS 22 Chorus, which features members of Coldplay, for an 11‑minute segment.
Shakira, who performed at the 2010 South Africa opening ceremony, will also release the official World Cup song “Dai Dai” featuring Bruna Boy.
The final will feature a Super Bowl‑style performance, underscoring the event’s scale.
Purpose and Funding
The halftime show and closing ceremony will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a $100 million initiative aimed at improving children’s access to quality education and football opportunities.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino explained that the fund will receive $1 from every 2026 ticket sold, directly supporting young people’s learning and sporting dreams.
Heimo Schirgi, Chief Operating Officer of the tournament, said the ceremony will bring the event full circle through music, culture and football before the decisive match crowns the champion.
Creative Leadership
Coldplay’s Chris Martin curated the show and announced the lineup in a video that featured Sesame Street’s Elmo.
