World Cup Closing Ceremony to Feature Jennifer Hudson, Nicole Scherzinger & More
Tom Cruise will also be making a special appearance.
Jennifer Hudson performs during 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year Honoring Mariah Carey on Jan. 30, 2026, in Los Angeles.
The 2026 World Cup Finals is shaping up to be quite the star-studded event on the pitch itself. FIFA revealed the lineup for the closing ceremony Tuesday (July 14), and it features notable global stars.
Jennifer Hudson, who is one of only 22 people who can boast they have EGOT status, is set to deliver what FIFA described in its press release as a “special rendition” of the United States’ national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” before the match begins on Sunday (July 19) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
The pre-kickoff ceremony, which FIFA teased will “celebrate the 48 teams’ unforgettable journey” in the global soccer tournament, will include performances from singers Nicole Scherzinger, Laura Pausini and Robbie Williams, as well as streamer IShowSpeed. In addition, superstar actor Tom Cruise will be making a special appearance.
“Grateful to be part of this unforgettable celebration,” Scherzinger, who is part of the Pussycat Dolls, said in her Instagram Stories after the news was announced. “A true honor! See you soon #FIFAWorldCup”
Pausini — who collaborated with Williams for “Desire,” FIFA’s 2025 anthem — also shared her excitement about participating in the closing ceremony. “I’m proud that an Italian voice will be part of this global celebration alongside Robbie and Nicole,” she wrote in part in her Instagram post. “I can’t wait to share this special moment with football fans around the world and with you all.”
Heimo Schirgi, COO of FIFA World Cup 2026, said in a statement of the closing show: “Echoing the spirit of the opening ceremonies — which welcomed the world to the greatest stage in Canada, Mexico and the United States — the closing ceremony will bring the FIFA World Cup 2026 full circle through music, culture and football, before we kick off the highly anticipated match that will crown the champions of this groundbreaking tournament.”
But it’s not just the closing ceremony that will boast big, global names. As previously announced, the World Cup Final Halftime Show will feature co-headliners BTS, Justin Bieber, Madonna and Shakira, with the mid-game show curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup nears the end of its 104 matches, only four of the original 48 teams are still in contention: Argentina, England, France and Spain. The latter two are set to face of July 14 at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, at 3 p.m. ET. England takes on Argentina July 15 at Atlanta Stadium in Georgia at 3 p.m. ET.
The face-off for the bronze medal will take place July 18 at Miami Stadium in Florida at 5 p.m. ET. The World Cup final — which will see the winners of the July 14 and July 15 games take the pitch — will begin at 3 p.m. at MetLife Stadium.
