IShowSpeed kicked off the 2026 World Cup closing ceremony in a blaze of colour, performing on the field alongside drummers and dancers in vibrant tracksuits. The streamer’s high-energy performance set the tone for the star-studded pre-match entertainment. Rapper and singer Post Malone followed, performing his hit song Wow.
More than 80,000 fans, celebrities, and foreign dignitaries are expected to pack New York New Jersey Stadium for Sunday’s final between Spain and Argentina. The pre-match entertainment promises to be a spectacular affair, with a host of A-list performers taking to the stage. Actor Tom Cruise will make an appearance, alongside singers Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, and Nicole Scherzinger.
Italian singer Pausini told the BBC’s Carl Nasman that she’s “very excited” and “proud” to be performing alongside Williams and Scherzinger at the closing ceremony. “When Robbie [Williams] invited me to sing with him, I felt goosebumps everywhere because Robbie’s one of my favorite singer, songwriter, and performer,” Pausini said.
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The celebrity line-up will continue at half-time, with performances by Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and BTS. Madonna, the best-selling female music artist of all time, is set to perform after the launch of her new album, Confessions II, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in July. Bieber also returned to the spotlight earlier this year, with his biggest live performance in four years at the Coachella music festival.
Colombian pop star Shakira and Nigerian musician Burna Boy will return to the stage together after performing during the opening ceremony in Mexico City last month. Their song Dai Dai has been a global favourite on music charts and was a frequently played number at stadiums during the tournament.
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K-Pop stars BTS will perform after making their comeback from a three-year music hiatus to complete their mandatory military service in South Korea. They are currently in the middle of an 85-date world tour.
The half-time break is expected to last 20-25 minutes, with Fifa saying the Super-Bowl-style performance will take 11 minutes. It has been curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin and will raise money for the Fifa Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative working to raise $100m (£73m) for children worldwide.
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The 2026 World Cup final promises to be an unforgettable event, with the closing ceremony and half-time performances adding to the excitement. As Spain and Argentina take to the field, fans around the world will be watching with bated breath, eager to see who will lift the coveted trophy.
Source: BBC Sports