Things to look forward to at the 2026 World Cup closing ceremony

The match takes place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19 (local time). Final preparations are being rushed to complete the closing ceremony, which will bring together a star-studded lineup and occur just before the referee blows the whistle to start the 2026 World Cup final between Argentina and Spain.

Post Malone will be the headliner of the show, alongside Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and internet sensation IShowSpeed on the list of performing artists.

The artists have been actively rehearsing at the venue hosting the final match of the tournament. The last game of the world's biggest sporting event is expected to attract over 1 billion viewers worldwide.

Notably, actor Tom Cruise will make a special appearance at the event. Singer Jennifer Hudson will perform the US national anthem before the match begins. The closing ceremony is scheduled to start 90 minutes before the final kicks off. FIFA has stated that the program will highlight the journey of the 48 teams competing across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Fans are encouraged to arrive early, and those inside the stadium are expected to play an active role in the show.

US President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum are expected to attend the final and present the trophy to the winning team.

In an interview with Xinhua News Agency on July 19, creative producer Marco Balich of Balich Wonder Studio (Italy) said the 2026 World Cup closing ceremony will celebrate the core values of sports, while connecting football, culture, and entertainment through a world-class lineup of artists.

Below is a video about the preparations for the closing ceremony at Balich Wonder Studio (source: Xinhua):

Mr. Marco Balich admitted he could not reveal details of the ceremony due to confidentiality requirements, but confirmed that the program's central theme will revolve around the values that the World Cup represents.

Mr. Marco Balich shared: "The 2026 World Cup closing ceremony will be an event celebrating the values of a sport that brings together 48 countries from around the world in this incredible tournament, with only two teams reaching the final."

When asked how to create a ceremony capable of impressing billions of viewers from different cultures, Mr. Balich said that Balich Wonder Studio always conveys its message through the language of beauty, values, and above all, emotion.

This year's final match also marks the first halftime show in the history of World Cup finals. Mr. Balich revealed that this is an experiment inspired by American sports culture.

He said: "The idea of holding a halftime show is a hallmark of American sports culture, and this is the first time this model has been applied to football—the world's most beloved sport. Normally, the halftime break is when fans get up to use the restroom, buy drinks, or chat with friends. So this time, we want to see if fans are willing to stay and watch the halftime performance. I hope they will enjoy this special show."

Additionally, Mr. Balich revealed that one of the biggest challenges in preparing for the ceremony was protecting the playing field, as the match would resume immediately after the performance. Therefore, the stage design had to be as lightweight as possible, while his team worked closely with turf specialists to ensure the pitch remained in optimal condition.