Football’s biggest tournament will close in blockbuster fashion as the FIFA World Cup 2026 final on Sunday promises not only the crowning of a new world champion but also a star-studded celebration featuring some of the biggest names in music and entertainment.
Ahead of the final at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, FIFA will stage a spectacular closing ceremony celebrating the tournament’s month-long journey across Canada, Mexico and the United States -- the first World Cup to feature 48 teams and 16 host cities.
Leading the entertainment lineup are Italian superstar Laura Pausini, former Pussycat Dolls frontwoman Nicole Scherzinger, British pop icon Robbie Williams and internet sensation IShowSpeed.
Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise is also set to make a special appearance, adding further star power to one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year.
The ceremony will begin 90 minutes before kick-off and is designed as a celebration of the tournament’s global spirit, blending music, culture and football before the champions are crowned.
Adding to the occasion, EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson will perform the United States national anthem before the match.
Widely regarded as one of the most powerful vocalists of her generation, Hudson’s performance is expected to provide one of the ceremony’s emotional highlights.
The production has been created in partnership with Balich Wonder Studio, the company behind several internationally acclaimed live spectacles, and will reflect the diversity and shared passion that defined the expanded World Cup.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi said the closing ceremony would mirror the spirit of the tournament’s opening celebrations, bringing the competition “full circle through music, culture and football” before the final showdown.
Fans attending the match are encouraged to arrive well ahead of kick-off, with stadium gates opening four hours before the game.
Alongside the ceremony, spectators will have access to interactive fan experiences, entertainment zones and exclusive pre-match activities.
With football, music and global pop culture sharing the spotlight, the closing ceremony aims to provide a fitting finale to what has already become the largest and one of the most memorable World Cups in history.