The 2026 FIFA World Cup has announced that Tom Cruise will join the star-studded pre-game closing ceremony.
The ceremony will take place before the final match at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19, and will celebrate the 48 teams’ journey across three host countries and 16 host cities throughout the tournament.
Top shooter The star will make a special appearance during the show, which will feature performances by Italian singer-songwriter Laura Pausini, Pussycat Dolls member Nicole Scherzinger, English singer-songwriter Robbie Williams, and YouTube star and streamer IShowSpeed.
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EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson will also perform a special rendition of the US national anthem before the finale.
“Reflecting the spirit of the opening ceremonies that welcomed the world to the greatest stage in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the closing ceremony will bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup full circle through music, culture and football before we begin the highly anticipated match that will determine the champions of this groundbreaking tournament,” said Heimo Shirgi, Chief Operating Officer of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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The closing ceremony will begin 90 minutes before kick-off at 1.30pm on Sunday.
Earlier this month, FIFA announced that Canadian pop star Justin Bieber will take part in the final break of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday.
Bieber will join Madonna, Shakira and BTS as co-headliners of the first-ever World Cup final halftime show, bringing some of the world’s biggest artists to the celebration.
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Nigerian singer Burna Boy will also appear in the 11-minute broadcast along with Gustavo Dudamel, the world-renowned Venezuelan conductor, and the Webby Award-winning PS 22 Choir, featuring Coldplay.
“When it comes to what the world needs, nothing is more important than education. We are proud that Justin Bieber has joined Madonna, Shakira and BTS to headline the final half-time show of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in support of the FIFA Global Education Fund and our mission to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children around the world,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
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FIFA said in May that the final would include a Super Cup-style performance.
The governing body said the show will support FIFA’s Global Citizen Education Fund, which is raising US$100 million to help children access education and football.
Infantino said he would bring together “music and football on the biggest stage in sports for a very special reason.”
“With this initiative, $1 from every @fifaworldcup 2026 ticket sold will go directly towards helping young people learn, grow and play,” Infantino added. “Every child should be able to dream, and together we can help make it possible.”
Shakira is no stranger to the World Championship. She performed at the opening ceremony in South Africa in 2010 and recently released the official World Cup song: Dai Daifeaturing Bruna Boy.
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The show will be curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, who announced it in a video with Sesame Street’Elmo.
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