The 2026 FIFA World Cup ended on Sunday with a spectacular closing ceremony at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, ahead of the tournament’s final match.
Award-winning American singer and actress Jennifer Hudson officially opened the ceremony with a powerful performance of the United States national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner.
The event, held about 90 minutes before kick-off, celebrated the success of the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup with music, entertainment and impressive stage performances.
American music star Post Malone entertained fans with a live performance, while British singer Robbie Williams performed several songs, including the FIFA anthem Desire alongside Italian singer Laura Pausini and American singer Nicole Scherzinger.
Popular streamer IShowSpeed also appeared during the ceremony, while Hollywood actor Tom Cruise delivered an inspirational speech. American tenor Christopher Macchio performed America the Beautiful, adding to the celebration.
The ceremony was produced by Balich Wonder Studio and featured live music, stunning visual effects and elaborate stage designs, highlighting the participation of all 48 nations in the tournament.
FIFA also made history by introducing the first-ever FIFA World Cup halftime show in partnership with Global Citizen. The 11-minute performance featured global stars including Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus, with support from Coldplay, to promote the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
