FIFA Announces Closing Ceremony Stars for World Cup 2026
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The FIFA World Cup 2026 final is Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where Spain plays Argentina at 3 p.m. Before kickoff, a closing ceremony features headliner Post Malone and a special appearance from Tom Cruise. At halftime, for the first time in World Cup history, a full show takes over the field, co-headlined by Madonna, Shakira, BTS, and Justin Bieber, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin. Gates open at 11 a.m. FOX and FOX One carry the match in English; Peacock carries it in Spanish. If you’re traveling in, book your BoletoXpress seat for both directions now, since East Rutherford gridlocks hard on the final day.
Event at a Glance
Detail | Info |
Date | Sunday, July 19, 2026 |
Venue | MetLife Stadium (temporarily “New York New Jersey Stadium”), East Rutherford, NJ |
Match | Spain vs Argentina, World Cup Final |
Gates open | 11:00 a.m. local time |
Closing ceremony | 1:30 p.m., about 90 minutes before kickoff |
Kickoff | 3:00 p.m. |
Halftime show length | About 11 minutes |
Stadium capacity | 82,500 |
Parking | None for spectators, transit-only event |
Broadcast (English) | FOX and FS1, streaming on FOX One |
Broadcast (Spanish) | Telemundo and Universo, streaming on Peacock |
Roof | None, open-air stadium |
Setting the Stage: Who's Performing at the Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony, produced by Balich Wonder Studio, which was also responsible for the 2022 Qatar ceremonies, will last 90 minutes before the start of the game and will celebrate the 48 teams that played their games across 16 host cities over 39 days in 3 countries. Here is the confirmed list, along with reasons for choosing each name.
Post Malone headlines
Post Malone is headlining. He is a diamond-certified artist, with nine of his songs having been downloaded more than 10 million times, including “rockstar,” “Sunflower,” “Circles,” and “Congratulations.” He has also just topped the Billboard 200 for his first-ever country album, “F 1 Trillion.” So this spot fits nicely into his transition period between genres.
Tom Cruise's special appearance
Tom Cruise does not appear as a performer but simply as an honored guest. It is not the first time that Tom Cruise has gotten involved in similar activities. He did something unexpected during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, and he has also been in the stands throughout the tournament.
Laura Pausini performs
The other singer from Italy is Laura Pausini, who performed at the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in February 2026, making her an expert at singing at ceremonies.
Nicole Scherzinger performs
Nicole Scherzinger also appears on the list. She is a Tony Award winner and a former Pussycat Doll, adding a performer with experience in both pop music and legitimate stage theater to the group.
Robbie Williams performs
Robbie Williams is the final act in the musical line-up. Williams began his career with the band Take That before embarking on a successful solo career, bringing a new generation of music fans into the fold.
IShowSpeed performs
ISHOWSPEED (real name: Darren Jason Watkins Jr.), an American gamer who covered all games during the event – even pitchside at the Portugal vs. Spain match in the Round of 16 – is a testament to how FIFA has attempted to appeal to a younger demographic this year.
Jennifer Hudson sings the anthem
Jennifer Hudson finishes things off with a rendition of the national anthem of the United States of America just before the match begins. Having achieved the rare EGOT status (having won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony), Hudson is one of the most qualified performers in the field.
FIFA World Cup 2026 chief operating officer Heimo Schirgi said the closing ceremony echoes the spirit of the opening ceremonies that welcomed the world to Canada and Mexico. The United States is bringing the tournament “full circle through music, culture and football” before the match that crowns this year’s champions, according to FIFA’s official announcement for the closing ceremony.
Eleven Minutes That Made History: Inside the Halftime Show Lineup
This halftime show, organized by Global Citizen, Live Nation, and Done + Dusted, and curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay, lasts around 11 minutes, making it the first halftime show ever featured in a World Cup final. The event will promote the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a $100 million initiative aimed at expanding educational access for kids that has already raised over $50 million. Here are some artists’ names and the reasons for their participation.
Madonna co-headlines
Madonna is among the headliners of the concert. She is one of the most famous pop artists of the last four decades, and this is the first time that she will be at the World Cup final halftime show.
Shakira co-headlines
This stage is not new for Shakira; in 2010, she was the voice behind the song “Waka Waka,” and she did the song “La La La” in 2014. This year, however, she has come to perform on the half-time show because she has done the song “Dai Dai” with Burna Boy.
BTS co-headlines
BTS will share the billing, thus becoming the first K-pop group to perform at the half-time show of a World Cup final match – a testament to the extent of the reach of the event’s target audience.
Justin Bieber co-headlines
The addition of Justin Bieber to the list came towards the very end, just after his headlining performance at Coachella in the early part of the year 2026.
Burna Boy performs
Burna Boy does not disappoint here either. He collaborated with Shakira on the official song for this year’s World Cup, “Dai Dai,” so he brings that connection from the halftime show into the Tournament itself.
Gustavo Dudamel conducts
Gustavo Dudamel takes part in conducting the performance. This is the Venezuelan conductor who is the music and artistic director of the New York Philharmonic, thus adding a classical-orchestra element to an otherwise pop-oriented lineup.
The PS22 Chorus performs
PS22 Chorus, an elementary school chorus from Staten Island that has previously won a Webby Award, comes on stage with Coldplay, bringing its grassroots community vibe to the show.
Sesame Street and the Muppets appear
Sesame Street characters and the Muppets are featured as well, aligning with the program’s core theme of aiding in educating children through the Global Citizen Education Fund.
Chris Martin curates the whole show
Chris Martin, the frontman of Coldplay, is responsible for bringing all these performers together in a single 11-minute show, featuring performances by Madonna and BTS, kids’ choirs, and even Sesame Street characters.
Who's performing, all in one place
Performer | Segment | Role | Quick fact |
Post Malone | Closing ceremony | Headliner | 9x diamond certified, new country album just topped the Billboard 200 |
Tom Cruise | Closing ceremony | Special appearance | Did a similar stunt at the Paris 2024 closing ceremony |
Laura Pausini | Closing ceremony | Performer | Helped open the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Feb 2026 |
Nicole Scherzinger | Closing ceremony | Performer | Tony winner, Pussycat Dolls member |
Robbie Williams | Closing ceremony | Performer | Former Take That member |
IShowSpeed | Closing ceremony | Performer | Streamed matches pitchside all tournament
|
Jennifer Hudson | Pre kickoff | National anthem | Holds the EGOT, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony |
Madonna | Halftime show | Co-headliner | Global pop icon, first World Cup final halftime appearance |
Shakira | Halftime show | Co-headliner | Sang Waka Waka in 2010, back this year with Dai Dai |
BTS | Halftime show | Co-headliner | First K-pop act to headline a World Cup final halftime show |
Justin Bieber | Halftime show | Co-headliner | Added last, right after his 2026 Coachella headline set |
Burna Boy | Halftime show | Performer | Recorded Dai Dai, this year’s official World Cup song, with Shakira |
Gustavo Dudamel | Halftime show | Conductor | Music director of the New York Philharmonic |
PS22 Chorus | Halftime show | Performer | Staten Island kids’ chorus, Webby Award winner, joined by Coldplay |
Sesame Street and Muppets | Halftime show | Guest appearance | Tied to the show’s education fund message |
Chris Martin | Halftime show | Curator | Coldplay frontman, put the whole lineup together |
Why is this final historic?
A few firsts stack up on July 19:
- First-ever World Cup final halftime show. No previous final has had one.
- First 48-team World Cup, up from 32 teams in past tournaments.
- The first World Cup was shared by three host countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
- The largest World Cup by matches played, with 104 total across the tournament.
- First Canada-hosted men’s World Cup, ever.
About MetLife Stadium
MetLife Stadium was completed in 2010 and replaced the older Giants Stadium, which was built beside it. The stadium is co-owned by the New York Giants and the New York Jets, being the only NFL stadium shared by two teams. It can hold up to 82,500 people, making it the biggest NFL stadium. It is an open-air stadium without a roof.
Major events hosted before
Hosting Super Bowl XLVIII, two WrestleManias, the final match of the Copa América Centenario, and nine games of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, including its final, the stadium is temporarily called “New York New Jersey Stadium” for the 2026 event due to FIFA’s neutral naming guidelines. It was renovated in two phases from 2024 to 2025 to enlarge the field to meet FIFA requirements. Located about 8 miles from Midtown Manhattan, the stadium is in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
How do I watch the final?
FOX and FS1 air the tournament in English, with the final itself on FOX, and every match also streams live on FOX One and the FOX Sports app. Telemundo and Universo carry Spanish-language TV coverage, while Peacock holds exclusive Spanish-language streaming rights. In case you do not have cable access, you can watch it on FOX One, Fubo, YouTube TV, and Hulu Live TV. There is an over-the-air antenna service that picks up FOX stations from across the US for free. Full match details are available on FOX Sports’ official World Cup hub.
Can I still get tickets through resale?
Yes, but only through one channel. FIFA operates the official FIFA Resale and Exchange Marketplace, accessible at FIFA.com/tickets, which remains open for 60 minutes after each match kicks off, so resale is technically possible right up to the final. FIFA has been clear that this is the only authorized resale channel, and tickets bought through unofficial third-party resale sites are not guaranteed to work at the gates and may be canceled outright. If you’re hoping to grab a final ticket this late, check the official FIFA ticket resale marketplace directly rather than anywhere else.
Getting to MetLife Stadium: comparing your options
This is the part most coverage skips. Here’s how the realistic options actually compare for the final day:
Option | Rough cost | Traffic risk | Best for |
Scheduled bus (BoletoXpress) | Budget-friendly, fixed fare, gets you into the NY/NJ area | Low, the driver knows event routing | Fans traveling from other host cities or NJ/NY towns without a car |
NJ Transit rail (via Secaucus Junction) | $150 round trip on match day, capped at 40,000 tickets per match | Low to medium, trains fill up | Solo travelers or small groups already in Manhattan or NJ |
Driving | Not permitted, no spectator parking on site | High, and not actually an option | No one, this route does not exist for this match |
Taxi/rideshare | Surge pricing likely | High drop-off zones bottleneck | Short last-mile trips only, not the whole journey |
Why is there no parking option
MetLife Stadium has zero general spectator parking for World Cup matches. This is a transit-only event; no walk-up parking and no private buses or charter operators are permitted to provide matchday service to the stadium itself. NJ Transit is the highest-capacity option, running from Penn Station through Secaucus Junction, but match-day round-trip fares have been raised well above the normal $12.90 round trip to $150, capped at 40,000 tickets per match. Our full MetLife Stadium FIFA fan guide breaks down what to expect at the gates, from the clear-bag policy to nearby hotel options.
Booking your trip from another host city
If you are coming from a different host city, booking early is worth it, though the last stretch into the stadium itself is transit only regardless of how you arrive, so plan to switch to NJ Transit or the official shuttle for that final leg.
Our bus travel guide between World Cup host cities covers the specific corridors into the New York and New Jersey area, and you can check live seat availability and book both legs of your trip directly through BoletoXpress’s route search before the schedule tightens up further. Stadium routes also run tighter than normal on match day, with far less spare capacity, so our guide on what to do if you miss your bus explains why a two-hour buffer, not the usual 30 minutes, is worth building in on a day like this.
What are the stadium's entry and security rules?
The MetLife Stadium has an official bag policy. Bags should be see-through and cannot exceed 12 by 6 by 12 inches, or a purse that is 4.5 by 6.5 inches. The stadium allows medically required items following inspection. It is recommended to expect the normal security checks at the entrance, so you should prepare your identification documents and ticket. For the full breakdown of what to pack and what to leave at home, our FIFA World Cup travel safety guide covers it in more detail, since World Cup matches sometimes add extra restrictions on top of the stadium’s usual rules.
What's the weather like in July?
The temperature in East Rutherford in July is generally in the range of 85-87°F (approximately 29-30°C), with the night temperatures around 67-70°F (approximately 20°C). Humidity levels make temperatures even higher, increasing the possibility of showers or thunderstorms, as MetLife Stadium does not have a roof. It would be better to dress casually and bring some sunscreen if you plan to be present before the gates open. It is advisable to bring a raincoat, as you cannot bring your umbrella into the stadium.
Anything worth doing nearby if I arrive early?
If you’re building in extra travel buffer anyway, a few things sit close to the stadium:
- American Dream, a large entertainment and shopping complex about a mile away, with an indoor ski slope, water park, and an aquarium. It gets very crowded, and its own parking can be confusing, so treat it as a before-or-after stop, not a same-day rush.
- Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, right next to the stadium complex.
- Hoboken and Secaucus, both on the NJ Transit rail line toward the stadium, have hotels that tend to be easier to book than in Manhattan on the final weekend.
- Manhattan itself, about 8 miles east, if you want to combine the trip with sightseeing before heading out to East Rutherford.
Conclusion
July 19 packs three separate events into one stadium day: a closing ceremony designed to send off the biggest World Cup ever, an 11-minute halftime show that has never been seen at a final before, and the match itself. None of that matters much if you are stuck outside the gates or scrambling for a way home afterward, so the travel planning is not a footnote here; it is half the experience. Lock in your BoletoXpress seat for both directions, know the bag policy before you leave home, and you will spend the day watching Post Malone, Madonna, and the World Cup final instead of worrying about how you are getting there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who headlines the closing ceremony?
Post Malone, with a special appearance from Tom Cruise.
Who headlines the halftime show?
Madonna, Shakira, BTS, and Justin Bieber, curated by Chris Martin.
Is this the first World Cup final halftime show ever?
Yes, no previous World Cup final has had a halftime show.
What time do the gates open?
11:00 a.m. local time on July 19.
What time does the closing ceremony start?
1:30 p.m., about 90 minutes before kickoff.
How long is the halftime show?
About 11 minutes.
What TV channel is the final on?
FOX in English, Peacock in Spanish, both also stream (FOX One, Peacock app).
Can I park at MetLife Stadium for the final?
No, there is no general spectator parking for World Cup matches; it is transit only.
Can I still buy resale tickets for the final?
Yes, only through FIFA’s official Resale and Exchange Marketplace, open until 60 minutes after kickoff.
Can I bring a bag into the stadium?
Only a clear bag up to 12x6x12 inches, or a small clutch up to 4.5×6.5 inches.
What’s the weather usually like in East Rutherford in July?
Hot and humid, highs near 85 to 87°F, with a real chance of a passing storm.
How do I get to MetLife Stadium without driving?
NJ Transit rail via Secaucus Junction or the official shuttle, both booked in advance, since no private buses reach the stadium itself on match day.
What cause does the halftime show support?
The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund aims to raise $100 million for children’s education.
Is there anything to do near the stadium before the match?
Yes, American Dream mall is about a mile away, along with Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment.
