FIFA has unveiled an extraordinary entertainment line-up for the closing ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring Hollywood superstars. Tom Cruise along with global music icons Jennifer Hudson, Robbie Williams and many other performers. The pre-match celebration will honor the historic 48-team edition of the tournament at the stadium in New York, New Jersey, before the world champions are crowned.According to FIFA’s announcement, the closing ceremony will showcase a mix of music, culture and entertainment designed to celebrate the first 48-team FIFA World Cup. The event will take place approximately 90 minutes before the final begins on Monday, July 20 (IST). The creative team behind the ceremony have designed the show to reflect the tournament’s month-long journey across three nations through music, storytelling and cultural celebration.
The interpreters of the closing ceremony and national anthem
Tom Cruise will make a special appearance during the pre-match event, joining an impressive list of world music stars. Jennifer Hudson, an Academy Award-winning singer, will perform the United States National Anthem before kickoff. Other performers confirmed for the closing ceremony include Robbie Williams, Italian artist Laura Pausini, American singer Nicole Scherzinger and internet sensation IShowSpeed, who will perform during the pre-match show.The production has been created by the creative force behind several iconic international sporting ceremonies, designed to deliver a visually spectacular experience. FIFA has indicated that additional surprise guests and performers could be announced before the final.
Vision for the ceremony
FIFA World Cup 2026 Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi articulated the purpose of the ceremonial celebration. The ceremony has been created so that the tournament “opens the circle through music, culture and football” before the start of the final, which represents a comprehensive conclusion of the month-long competition before determining the world champions.With a record 48-team tournament coming to a close, the closing ceremony aims to match the scale and ambition of the competition itself, setting the stage for a final celebration of football, music and global culture before the FIFA World Cup trophy is lifted.
The stand-alone halftime show features additional superstars
Beyond the closing ceremony, FIFA will host a star-studded half-time show during the World Cup finals, marking the tournament’s first official half-time entertainment inspired by the Super Bowl format. Global music icons BTS, Madonna, Shakira and Justin Bieber will headline the historic 11-minute performance. The halftime show will also feature Burna Boy, director Gustavo Dudamel and a Grammy-nominated choir performing alongside Coldplay.
BTS, Madonna and Shakira are among the global superstars who will perform during the first official half-time show of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals. Image credit (Instagram).
The half-time show has been produced in partnership with a global advocacy organization and Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Phil Harvey, who have been working with FIFA to curate the artist line-up. The performance will combine music, culture and football, bringing together some of the world’s greatest artists for a historic moment in FIFA World Cup history.