The 2026 FIFA World Cup is about to write its final chapter, and it will do so with a closing ceremony designed to live up to a tournament that made history. Before the ball kicks off in the final on Sunday, July 19, at New York New Jersey Stadium, thousands of fans will witness a spectacle combining music, culture, and entertainment.
The closing ceremony will mark the end of an unprecedented edition, featuring 48 national teams spread across three host countries and 16 host cities. The event aims to celebrate the tournament’s legacy before the new world champion is crowned.
Confirmed performers for the show include Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and IShowSpeed, along with Tom Cruise and other special guests who were announced in the days leading up to the final.
One of the most anticipated moments will come moments before the opening whistle, when Jennifer Hudson—winner of Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards—will perform a special rendition of the U.S. national anthem, setting the tone for the most important match in world soccer.
Balich Wonder Studio will handle the production and will center on the passion, excitement, and global character that defined this edition of the World Cup. The goal will be to close out the tournament with a celebration that reflects the impact of this historic competition.
Heimo Schirgi, Chief Operating Officer of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, noted that the ceremony will evoke the spirit with which the world was welcomed during the opening ceremonies in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, combining music, culture, and soccer before the champion is crowned.
The ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. local time, 90 minutes before the start of the final. Stadium gates will open at 11:00 a.m. so fans can enjoy a variety of activities, exclusive experiences, and pre-match entertainment, as well as be part of the spectacle prepared to bid farewell to a World Cup that will go down in history.
