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Post Malone, Tom Cruise, Jennifer Hudson to perform at World Cup closing ceremony
Post Malone, Tom Cruise and Jennifer Hudson will be among the performers at the closing ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ahead of Sunday's (19 July) final between Spain and Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium. The 90-minute pre-match ceremony underscores FIFA's use of major music and celebrity acts to bookend the tournament, following a similarly star-studded opening ceremony last month and the first-ever World Cup Halftime Show also taking place on final day.
The closing ceremony line-up also includes Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini and IShowSpeed, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino saying Post Malone's set would "celebrate the tournament's journey" before the finalists take to the pitch. Sunday will additionally feature the tournament's first Halftime Show, organised by Chris Martin and featuring Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and BTS, with proceeds tied to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which has raised over $30million (£22.3million) of a $100million (£74.5million) target, partly funded by $1 (75p) from every ticket sold. England play France for third place on Saturday 18 July, a day before the final.
In short
- Post Malone, Tom Cruise, Jennifer Hudson join World Cup closing ceremony line-up
- Spain face Argentina in Sunday's final in New Jersey
- First-ever Halftime Show features Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and BTS
Explained simply
The FIFA World Cup is football's most prestigious international tournament, held every four years and watched by billions of people worldwide. The 2026 tournament is taking place across North America, with the final scheduled for 19 July between Spain and Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium. The final match is preceded by entertainment events, making it one of the year's most-watched sporting occasions.
FIFA has increasingly invested in major entertainment acts at the World Cup in recent years, blending sport with international music performances at the opening and closing ceremonies. These star-studded events emphasise how contemporary major tournaments are global entertainment spectacles alongside sporting competitions. This approach reflects the tournament's cultural significance and global audience.
The 2026 World Cup is introducing the tournament's first-ever Halftime Show during the final itself, expanding the entertainment programme beyond opening and closing ceremonies. Revenue from the Halftime Show supports FIFA's Global Citizen Education Fund, a charitable initiative focused on education projects worldwide. This represents how major sporting events increasingly combine competition, celebrity performances and charitable fundraising.