🏆🤯 World Cup Final: Stars, Drama & More!

WORLD CUP 2026 FINAL: A MULTI-ACT CELEBRATION
The 2026 World Cup final promises a spectacle unlike any other, combining a live football match with elaborate musical performances. This document outlines the key timings and details surrounding the event at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

THE MATCH: SPANISH TRIUMPH
The culmination of a month-long tournament will see Spain face Argentina in a highly anticipated final match on Sunday, July 19th. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM local time (19:00 GMT) at MetLife Stadium, the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets. The stadium, temporarily renamed New York-New Jersey Stadium, has a capacity of 82,500 spectators and previously hosted the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final. This significant venue has been meticulously prepared to host the historic event.

THE CLOSING CEREMONY: A GLOBAL TRIBUTE
The World Cup closing ceremony will commence at 1:30 PM local time (17:30 GMT) on July 19th, preceding the final match. This celebratory event will honor the 48 teams that competed across the three host countries – the United States, Canada, and Mexico – and the 16 host cities. Jennifer Hudson will perform the United States national anthem, adding a patriotic element to the festivities. The ceremony is being produced by Balich Wonder Studio and aims to encapsulate the tournament’s defining moments and global appeal of football. Heimo Schirgi, chief operating officer, stated that the event “will bring the FIFA World Cup 2026 full circle through music, culture and football.”

HALF-TIME SHOW: A CELEBRATION OF GLOBAL MUSIC
The half-time show, scheduled to begin shortly after 3:45 PM local time (19:45 GMT), will feature a dynamic lineup of international music stars. Headlining the show will be Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, and BTS. Additional performers include Nigerian singer Burna Boy, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, New York’s PS22 Chorus, and Chris Martin, who curated the performance. The show is designed to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, aiming to raise $100 million to expand access to education for children. Burna Boy, collaborating with Shakira on the tournament’s official song, “Dai Dai,” described the opportunity as “a privilege and a responsibility.”

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS & PREVIOUS TESTS
The stage design for the half-time show is innovative, built directly on the pitch and designed for rapid assembly and dismantling within minutes. This approach was tested at last year’s Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, where the interval lasted over 24 minutes. Unlike the Club World Cup final, the Sunday stage will be constructed directly on the field, allowing for quicker setup and takedown. Longer half-time breaks have been utilized in major sporting events, as exemplified by Shakira’s performance at the 2024 Copa America final.

PERFORMANCE LINEUP: A GLOBAL ROSTER
The roster of performers for the closing ceremony is impressive, encompassing a diverse range of talent. Post Malone will headline the ceremony, alongside Italian singer Laura Pausini, American singer Nicole Scherzinger, British pop star Robbie Williams, and YouTube creator IShowSpeed. Actor Tom Cruise is also set to make a special appearance. Furthermore, the half-time show features a star-studded lineup including Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, and BTS, alongside Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus.

BROADCAST INFORMATION: GLOBAL REACH
The World Cup final will be broadcast across the globe, with specific channels and streaming platforms available in various regions. In the US, the match will air in English on FOX and in Spanish on Telemundo and Universo, with streaming accessible through the FOX Sports app, FOX One, and Peacock. In Canada, viewers can watch on CTV and TSN. In Mexico, audiences can tune in through TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca, and ViX. Across the Middle East and North Africa, the match will be broadcast live on beIN Sports.