Tom Cruise at the IShowSpeed FIFA World Cup 2026 closing ceremony
The biggest FIFA World Cup in history deserves a close final and FIFA is pulling out all the stops before a ball is even kicked in the final. From Hollywood royalty to world music stars and one of YouTube’s biggest personalities, the closing ceremony promises to be as spectacular as football itself.
The ceremony, which will be held at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday (Monday, July 20 IST), will bring down the curtain on the month-long football festival spanning the United States, Canada and Mexico. To celebrate the journey of all 48 countries that took part in the tournament, FIFA prepared an entertainment extravaganza before the crowning of the world champions.
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Hollywood icon Tom Cruise will make a special appearance, while Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger and internet sensation IShowSpeed will perform during the pre-match show. Academy Award-winning singer and actress Jennifer Hudson will also perform the United States National Anthem before the concert begins.
Created in collaboration with Balich Wonder Studio, the creative minds behind several iconic global sporting ceremonies, the show aims to celebrate the passion, emotion and cultural diversity that defined the first ever 48-team FIFA World Cup. FIFA also hinted that more performers and surprise guests could be revealed closer to the final.
FIFA 2026 World Cup chief operating officer Heimo Schirgi said the ceremony would bring the tournament “full circle through music, culture and football” before the biggest game in world football gets underway.
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The football grand final will be accompanied by an equally impressive cast from the worlds of music, film and entertainment.
The confirmed lineup includes:
- Tom Cruise (special appearance)
- Jennifer Hudson (United States National Anthem)
- Robbie Williams
- Laura Pausini
- Nicole Scherzinger
- iShowSpeed
The ceremony is set to begin 90 minutes before kick-off and FIFA promises a celebration that reflects the scale of the tournament, which has expanded to 48 teams and is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Additional artists and special guests are expected to be announced in the days leading up to the finale.
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Only four teams remain in the battle for football’s biggest prize, with two thrilling semi-finals to decide who advances to the World Cup final.
The first semi-final pits France against Spain on Tuesday, July 15 (IST). It’s a clash worthy of a final in its own right as Kylian Mbappe’s France take on a Spain side led by teenage sensation Lamino Yamal. France booked their place in the last four after beating Morocco 2-0, while Spain beat Belgium 2-1 thanks to another decisive late strike from Mikel Merino.
Argentina will face England in the other semi-final on Wednesday, July 16 (IST). Defending champions Argentina, inspired by Lionel Messi, put up a dramatic fightback against Egypt before overcoming Switzerland in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, England negotiated tricky knockout draws against Mexico and Norway to continue their quest for a first World Cup title since 1966.
The winners of these two sensational clashes will meet at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19 (Monday, July 20 IST) to battle it out for the FIFA World Cup trophy and bring the unforgettable tournament to its spectacular conclusion.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
14 Jul 2026 22:09 IST