Star-Studded Closing Ceremony Before Argentina-Spain Final

A star-studded closing ceremony and an unprecedented halftime show set the stage for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between defending champions Argentina and Spain at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19. The event, which precedes the most significant match in the expanded 48-team tournament, featured a blend of global music stars, Hollywood celebrities, and digital personalities before a capacity crowd of more than 80,000.

The pre-match ceremony, which began at 1:30 p.m. ET, approximately 90 minutes before the 3 p.m. kickoff, was headlined by American singer Post Malone. He performed alongside Italian singer Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, and British artist Robbie Williams, who are all associated with the tournament's official anthem. Internet personality IShowSpeed also participated in the production. Multi-award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson performed the United States national anthem separately from the competing nations' anthems. Hollywood actor Tom Cruise made a special appearance, though the specifics of his role were not disclosed. The ceremony was designed as a celebration of the 39-day tournament hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.