The FIFA World Cup 2026 has announced that Tom Cruise will join a star-studded pregame closing ceremony.
The ceremony will happen ahead of the ultimate match at Latest York Latest Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19, and have a good time the 48 teams’ journey across the three host countries and 16 host cities throughout the tournament.
The Top Gun star will make a special appearance throughout the show, which is able to feature performances from Italian singer-songwriter Laura Pausini, Pussycat Dolls member Nicole Scherzinger, English singer-songwriter Robbie Williams and YouTube star and streamer IShowSpeed.
EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson may also deliver a special rendition of the USA national anthem ahead of the ultimate.
“Echoing the spirit of the opening ceremonies, which welcomed the world to the best stage in Canada, Mexico and the USA, the closing ceremony will bring the FIFA World Cup 2026 full circle through music, culture and football, before we kick off the highly anticipated match that can crown the champions of this groundbreaking tournament,” said Heimo Schirgi, chief operating officer of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
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The closing ceremony will begin 90 minutes before kickoff at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Earlier this month, FIFA announced that Canadian pop star Justin Bieber will participate within the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show on Sunday.
Bieber joins Madonna, Shakira and BTS as co-headliners for the first-ever World Cup final halftime show, bringing together a few of the world’s biggest artists for the celebration.
Nigerian singer Burna Boy may also appear throughout the 11-minute broadcast, alongside Gustavo Dudamel, the internationally acclaimed Venezuelan conductor, and the Webby Award-winning PS 22 Chorus featuring Coldplay.
“With regards to what the world needs, there may be nothing more essential than education. We’re proud to have Justin Bieber joining Madonna, Shakira and BTS to co-headline the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund and our mission to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for youngsters world wide,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said.
In May, FIFA revealed that the ultimate will include the Super Bowl-style performance.
The governing body said the show would support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which is raising US$100 million to assist children access education and soccer.
Infantino said it could bring together “music and football on the largest stage in sport for a really special cause.”
“Through this initiative, US$1 from every @fifaworldcup 2026 ticket sold will go directly towards helping young people learn, grow and play,” Infantino added. “Every child must have the chance to dream, and together we will help make that possible.”
Shakira isn’t any stranger to the World Cup. She performed on the opening ceremony in South Africa in 2010 and recently released the World Cup’s official song, Dai Dai, featuring Bruna Boy.
The show will probably be curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, who announced the news in a video with Sesame Street’s Elmo.
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