International Football Association (FIFA) has announced an extraordinary entertainment line-up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Closing Ceremony, including Hollywood superstars. tom cruise Join global music icon Jennifer Hudson, Robbie Williams and many other performers. Pre-match festivities will take place at the New York-New Jersey Arena before the world champion is crowned to mark the historic 48-team event.According to an announcement from FIFA, the closing ceremony will showcase a fusion of music, culture and entertainment to celebrate the inaugural 48-team FIFA World Cup. The event will take place approximately 90 minutes before the start of the finals on Monday, July 20 (IST). The creative team behind the awards ceremony designed the spectacle to reflect the month-long championship’s journey across three countries through music, storytelling and cultural celebration.
this closing ceremony performers and national anthem
Tom Cruise will make a special appearance at the pre-game event, joining an impressive list of global music stars. Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson will perform the U.S. national anthem before kickoff. Other performers confirmed for the closing ceremony include Robbie Williams, Italian recording artist Laura Pausini, American singer Nicole Scherzinger and internet sensation IShow Speed, who will perform in the pre-match show.Created by the creative minds behind iconic international sporting rituals, the work is designed to provide a spectacular visual experience. FIFA said more surprise guests and performers may be announced before the final.
Ritual Vision
Heimo Schirgi, chief operating officer of the FIFA 2026 World Cup, explained the purpose behind the celebration. The purpose of the ceremony is for the competition to “come full circle through music, culture and football” before the final begins, representing a comprehensive end to the month-long competition before the world champion is decided.As the record-breaking 48-team tournament draws to a close, the closing ceremony is designed to match the scale and ambition of the event itself, setting the stage for a final celebration of football, music and global culture before the FIFA World Cup trophy is lifted.
Separate halftime show features more superstars
In addition to the closing ceremony, FIFA will also hold a separate star-studded halftime show during the World Cup finals. This will also be the first official halftime entertainment event for the World Cup inspired by the Super Cup format. Global music icons BTS, Madonna, Shakira and Justin Bieber will headline the historic 11-minute performance. Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Grammy-nominated choir will also perform at halftime, along with Coldplay.
Global superstars including BTS, Madonna and Shakira will perform at the first official half-time show of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final. Image source (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 show fuses music, culture and football, bringing together some of the world’s top entertainers to create a landmark moment in FIFA World Cup history.
