FIFA has announced the star-studded lineup for the 2026 World Cup closing ceremony, which will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey before the historic final between Spain and Argentina. The program features a truly global array of artists: Hollywood actor Tom Cruise, streaming star IShowSpeed, American rapper and singer Post Malone (the show's headliner), Italian singer Laura Pausini, Pussycat Dolls member Nicole Scherzinger, and British artist Robbie Williams. The US anthem will be performed by EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson.
The ceremony will begin exactly at 13:30 ET, 90 minutes before the final match kicks off at 15:00. Two great football nations will meet at this colossal stadium: the Spanish, champions of 2010, and the Argentinians, three-time world champions. This is the first-ever final between these two teams.
The show is designed to celebrate the unprecedented journey of 48 teams (a first in World Cup history) across 16 cities in three countries—Canada, Mexico, and the USA. Organizers promise to give fans attending the stadium an active role in the performance. The broadcast is expected to reach 1.5 billion viewers worldwide.
Behind the stage magic is the legendary Milan-based Balich Wonder Studio, led by Marco Balich—the man responsible not only for the 2022 World Cup ceremonies in Qatar but also for 16 Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies. This is a historic moment: for the first time, a single creative studio is staging both the Olympic ceremonies (Milan-Cortina 2026) and the World Cup in the same year. The project involves about 30 core team members in Milan and approximately 900 specialists across the three host countries.
The final will be marked by another historic premiere: the first-ever World Cup halftime with a full-scale show (approximately 11 minutes curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay). The stadium will also host the world's first final closing ceremony before the final match, uniting the film industry, global musicians, and internet stars in a single show. The contrast between a Hollywood legend, premium world-class artists, and a popular streamer is intentional—it reflects the new reality of global culture.
Additional performer names and exact program details are expected to be announced in the coming hours. The final at MetLife Stadium promises to be memorable not only on the field but also in the annals of sporting and entertainment grandeur.
