The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is three days away, and FIFA just made sure everyone’s tuning in for way more than just the soccer match. The closing ceremony lineup reads like a who’s who of global entertainment: Post Malone (fresh addition to the roster), Jennifer Hudson, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, Italian legend Laura Pausini, content creator IShowSpeed, and action movie star Tom Cruise. Yes, Tom Cruise. Yes, really. FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed Post Malone’s involvement with the clear intent of building atmosphere and celebrating the tournament’s journey before Spain takes on Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium this Sunday.
But the closing ceremony isn’t even the biggest news. FIFA is rolling out its first-ever World Cup halftime show, finally adopting the Super Bowl format that’s been proving its worth for decades. Chris Martin from Coldplay is directing the experience, which will feature Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, and BTS. The production value on this thing must be absolutely astronomical. It’s a full cultural moment built around the most-watched sporting event on the planet.
The cherry on top? Every ticket purchased donates one dollar to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which has already raised over thirty million dollars toward a hundred million dollar goal to expand education and football access for kids worldwide. So you’re watching world-class entertainment while supporting global education initiatives. Which performance are you most excited to see when the final kicks off?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.