FIFA World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony: Date, Time, Performers, and Full Lineup
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony takes place today, Sunday, July 19, 2026, at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The show starts at 1:30 PM ET, 90 minutes before the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina kicks off at 3:00 PM ET.
Post Malone headlines a lineup that also features Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, and IShowSpeed, with a special appearance by Tom Cruise. Jennifer Hudson sings the United States national anthem shortly before kickoff.
The ceremony closes a 39 day tournament that brought 48 teams to 16 host cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is the largest FIFA World Cup in history, and FIFA has built a closing show to match that scale.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony Quick Facts
| Event | FIFA World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony |
| Date | Sunday, July 19, 2026 |
| Venue | New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), East Rutherford, New Jersey |
| Ceremony Start Time | 1:30 PM ET (10:30 AM PT, 6:30 PM BST) |
| Stadium Gates Open | 11:00 AM ET |
| Final Kickoff | 3:00 PM ET, Spain vs Argentina |
| Headliner | Post Malone |
| Other Performers | Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, IShowSpeed |
| Special Appearance | Tom Cruise |
| National Anthem | Jennifer Hudson |
| Producer | Balich Wonder Studio |
| Broadcast (US) | FOX (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Broadcast (Canada) | CTV and TSN |
When and Where the FIFA World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony Takes Place
The closing ceremony begins at 1:30 PM ET inside New York New Jersey Stadium, the FIFA tournament name for MetLife Stadium. The venue holds 82,500 spectators and sits in East Rutherford, New Jersey, roughly 10 miles west of Manhattan.
Stadium gates open at 11:00 AM ET, four hours before kickoff. FIFA has advised ticket holders to arrive early because of heavy crowds and enhanced security screening around the Final. The main show is expected to run about 15 to 20 minutes, with pre-match programming, player warmups, and the national anthem filling the rest of the window before kickoff.
The Final is the venue’s eighth and last match of the tournament. The stadium hosts eight matches in total: five group stage games, one Round of 32 tie, one Round of 16 tie, and the Final.
Who is Performing at the Closing Ceremony
FIFA confirmed the closing ceremony lineup in stages during the week before the Final, announcing Post Malone as headliner on July 16. The roster spans pop, Broadway, and digital entertainment.
The confirmed performers and guests include:
| Performer | Role |
|---|---|
| Post Malone | Headliner |
| Robbie Williams | Performer |
| Laura Pausini | Performer |
| Nicole Scherzinger | Performer |
| IShowSpeed | Performer |
| Tom Cruise | Special appearance |
| Jennifer Hudson | United States national anthem |
Laura Pausini, a Grammy winner from Italy, and Nicole Scherzinger, a Tony winner known for the Pussycat Dolls and Sunset Boulevard, bring vocal and stage power to the show. Robbie Williams adds British pop star appeal, while IShowSpeed, the internet personality whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., connects the ceremony to the tournament’s massive online audience.
Tom Cruise, who attended the United States opening match against Paraguay, makes a special appearance during the show. Jennifer Hudson, a winner of Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards, closes the program with The Star-Spangled Banner, days after performing in the pregame show at the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia. FIFA has also hinted that surprise guests could appear before kickoff.
Who is Producing the Ceremony
The closing ceremony is produced in partnership with Balich Wonder Studio. The studio’s founder, Marco Balich, also directed the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, along with multiple Olympic ceremonies.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the choice of Post Malone as headliner celebrates the tournament’s journey, while Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi described the show as a way to bring the tournament full circle through music, culture, and football before the champions are crowned.
What Happens During the Ceremony
FIFA describes the closing ceremony as a celebration of all 48 teams and their journey across the three host countries. The show blends live music, cultural segments, and tournament highlights on the stadium’s video systems, and supporters have an active role in the show itself, another reason FIFA wants fans in their seats early.
The ceremony follows this general sequence:
| Time (ET) | Segment |
|---|---|
| 11:00 AM | Stadium gates open |
| 1:30 PM | Closing ceremony begins |
| Approx. 2:45 PM | Jennifer Hudson performs the US national anthem |
| 3:00 PM | Final kickoff, Spain vs Argentina |
| Approx. 3:45 PM | Halftime show (approx. 11 minutes) |
| After full time | Trophy presentation and individual awards |
The closing ceremony is separate from the 2026 World Cup Halftime Show. For the first time in World Cup history, the Final features a Super Bowl style halftime performance of around 11 minutes, headlined by Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, and BTS in a show curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin. Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, and Coldplay with the PS22 Chorus also appear, joined by characters from Sesame Street and the Muppets, including Kermit and Miss Piggy.
Global Citizen produces the halftime show in partnership with Live Nation and Done + Dusted, with a start around 3:45 PM ET depending on first half stoppage time. The performance supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise 100 million dollars for education and football programs for children worldwide.
After the full time whistle, the celebrations continue with the trophy presentation and the individual FIFA World Cup 2026 awards, including the Golden Ball, Golden Boot, Golden Glove, and Best Young Player. The award winners are confirmed on the pitch once the Final concludes.
How the Closing Ceremony Compares to the Opening Ceremonies
The 2026 tournament opened with three separate ceremonies across the host nations. Shakira and Burna Boy headlined in Mexico City, where they performed the official tournament song, Dai Dai. Katy Perry, Anitta, Future, Lisa, and Rema featured at the Los Angeles opener, while Toronto’s show included Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, and Elyanna.
The closing ceremony brings that three nation spirit into a single show at the Final venue. It is far larger than the brief closing segment staged at Lusail Stadium before the 2022 Final in Qatar, reflecting the expanded 48 team format and the entertainment focus FIFA has taken throughout 2026.
How to Watch the Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony airs as part of the Final broadcast. In the United States, FOX carries English language coverage and Telemundo carries Spanish language coverage, with streaming available through their apps and services such as Fubo.
In Canada, CTV and TSN carry the ceremony and the Final. In the United Kingdom, the match airs on BBC and ITV. International viewers can watch through their local FIFA World Cup rights holders.
Pre-match coverage on most networks begins well before the 1:30 PM ET ceremony start. Read our complete guide to watching and streaming the 2026 World Cup Final.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony FAQ
What time does the FIFA World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony start?
The ceremony starts at 1:30 PM ET on Sunday, July 19, 2026, which is 90 minutes before the Final kicks off at 3:00 PM ET at MetLife Stadium.
Where is the closing ceremony being held?
The ceremony takes place at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the same venue hosting the Final between Spain and Argentina.
Who is headlining the FIFA World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony?
Post Malone headlines the ceremony. Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, and IShowSpeed also perform, and Tom Cruise makes a special appearance.
Who is singing the national anthem before the Final?
Jennifer Hudson performs the United States national anthem shortly before kickoff.
Is the closing ceremony the same as the halftime show?
No. The closing ceremony takes place before kickoff. The halftime show is a separate 11 minute performance during the Final, headlined by Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, and BTS, and curated by Chris Martin.
How long is the closing ceremony?
The main show is expected to run about 15 to 20 minutes, with pre-match programming filling the window between the 1:30 PM ET start and the 3:00 PM ET kickoff.
Final Thoughts
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony gives the biggest World Cup in history a fitting sendoff, with Post Malone, a star studded supporting cast, and the first ever Final halftime show all packed into one afternoon at MetLife Stadium. Tune in from 1:30 PM ET to catch the full show before Spain and Argentina meet for the trophy.
