The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is shaping up like a halftime-show-meets-Hollywood-premiere, with Post Malone, Tom Cruise, IShowSpeed, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, and Robbie Williams all tied to the closing ceremony lineup. The combination of global music stars, Hollywood celebrities, and internet personalities is set to make the final a spectacle both on and off the pitch.

What Time Does the 2026 World Cup Closing Ceremony Start and How Long Does It Last?

The closing ceremony at New York New Jersey Stadium begins at 1:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 19, roughly 90 minutes before the 3 p.m. ET kickoff, giving fans a full runway before the final whistle even enters the conversation.

FIFA has promised a star-studded production featuring live musical performances, cultural showcases, and tributes to the tournament’s expansion and its three host nations, the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The ceremony is designed to blend football with entertainment, giving fans inside the stadium and those watching around the world a memorable send-off before the final gets underway.

Because the ceremony begins well before kickoff, supporters are encouraged to tune in early to catch the full production. It serves as FIFA’s final celebration of the month-long tournament before attention shifts to the action on the pitch and the crowning of the 2026 World Cup champions.

Who Is Headlining the 2026 World Cup Closing Ceremony?

Post Malone has been announced as the headliner for the July 19 closing ceremony, and that choice makes a lot of sense for a World Cup staged on U.S. soil. The “Sunflower” rapper and country crossover star brings a very American flavor to a tournament that has leaned hard into scale, spectacle, and crossover appeal. The broader mission also matters: the star-studded show is set up to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million for global education and youth soccer opportunities.

What Is Tom Cruise Performing at the FIFA World Cup Closing Ceremony?

FIFA is keeping Tom Cruise’s role in the 2026 World Cup closing ceremony under wraps. The organization has only confirmed that the Hollywood superstar will make a “special appearance,” without revealing exactly what fans can expect.

That mystery is part of the excitement. Cruise has a history of stealing the show at major sporting events, most notably at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games closing ceremony. The Mission: Impossible star stunned the crowd by abseiling from the roof of the Stade de France, collecting the Olympic flag, and riding away on a motorcycle as part of the handover to Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics.

Whether he pulls off another blockbuster-style stunt or simply makes an on-stage appearance remains to be seen. For now, FIFA is keeping the details under wraps, leaving fans to wonder how one of Hollywood’s biggest stars will fit into football’s biggest night.

Who Is IShowSpeed and Why Is a Streamer Performing at the World Cup Closing Ceremony?

If there’s one name on the closing ceremony lineup that might surprise football fans, it’s IShowSpeed. The YouTube sensation has been everywhere during the 2026 World Cup, livestreaming matches, meeting players, and creating viral moments with fans across the tournament. So, in many ways, his appearance at the final feels like the perfect ending to his World Cup journey.

Speed also released the World Cup anthem “Higher Love” before the tournament, with FIFA later including the track in the official tournament music lineup. That made his place in the closing ceremony feel like more than just a celebrity cameo.

His inclusion alongside stars such as Post Malone, Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, and Nicole Scherzinger also shows that FIFA is embracing the digital era. The World Cup is no longer just about football and music, but it is also about the creators and online personalities who help bring the tournament to millions of fans around the world.

Who Are The Other Celebrities Performing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Closing Ceremony?

Post Malone may be headlining the show, but he’s far from the only big name taking the stage. FIFA has assembled a lineup that spans pop, rock, Broadway, and international music, giving the World Cup final a truly global feel.

Italian superstar Laura Pausini, who rose to fame in the 1990s, remains one of the country’s most celebrated artists with a career that has reached audiences around the world.

Nicole Scherzinger brings her own blend of pop and theater credentials, having found global success with the Pussycat Dolls before earning a Tony Award for her work on Broadway.

Meanwhile, Robbie Williams, who first rose to fame with Take That before becoming one of the UK’s best-selling solo artists, adds another iconic name to the lineup.

The star power doesn’t end there. Jennifer Hudson is set to perform the U.S. national anthem before kickoff, adding another Grammy- and Oscar-winning performer to the day’s entertainment. Together with Post Malone, IShowSpeed, and Tom Cruise’s special appearance, the ceremony promises to be much more than a traditional pre-match show.

FIFA has described the production as a “spectacular ceremony” to close out the biggest World Cup in history, while its partner Global Citizen has called it “a halftime show like no other” in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. With music, celebrity appearances, and football all sharing the spotlight, the 2026 World Cup final is set to be as much an entertainment spectacle as a sporting event.