World Cup 2026: Madonna, Shakira, Cruise to light up final as football meets Hollywood glamour

The FIFA World Cup final will deliver more than just a battle for football’s biggest prize, with MetLife Stadium set to transform into a global entertainment stage featuring some of the world’s biggest stars.

After five weeks of intense competition involving more than 100 matches across three countries, Spain and Argentina will fight for supremacy on Sunday, but before the champions are crowned, millions of fans worldwide will witness a spectacular closing ceremony packed with Hollywood icons and music legends.

The entertainment line-up will be headlined by a special appearance from Oscar-winning actor Tom Cruise, while global superstars Madonna and Shakira will lead the first-ever World Cup halftime show.

Cruise, known for his blockbuster performances and daring stunts, is expected to make his appearance during the pre-match closing ceremony alongside British pop sensation Robbie Williams, Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger and Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson, who will perform the United States national anthem.

The Hollywood star’s involvement has generated huge anticipation following his memorable appearance at the 2024 Olympic closing ceremony in Paris, where he rappelled from the roof of the Stade de France before landing on the stadium field.

Organisers are hoping Cruise can recreate that sense of spectacle and bring his trademark cinematic energy to football’s biggest stage.

American rapper and singer Post Malone and popular streamer IShowSpeed are also among the personalities expected to add further star power to the occasion.

Madonna, Shakira lead historic World Cup halftime show

While the closing ceremony will provide a glamorous build-up, the main attraction is expected to be the historic 11-minute halftime performance — the first of its kind at a men’s World Cup final.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has described the show as the “biggest in the world,” with a line-up featuring some of the biggest names in global entertainment.

Pop icon Madonna, who recently released a new album at the age of 67, will share the stage with Canadian superstar Justin Bieber, South Korean K-pop giants BTS and Colombian sensation Shakira.

Shakira, one of the most recognisable performers in football history, will also represent the tournament’s musical identity through “Dai Dai,” her official World Cup song collaboration with Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy.

The performance will also feature acclaimed Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel and a New York-based chorus, with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin overseeing the creative direction of the show.

Beyond entertainment, the halftime spectacle will support an education initiative by FIFA and Global Citizen, a global advocacy organisation focused on social development projects.

However, the ambitious production could create challenges for match officials, with the stage construction and removal potentially extending the traditional 15-minute halftime interval.

During last year’s Club World Cup final at the same venue, the halftime break stretched beyond 24 minutes due to similar logistical demands.