Tom Cruise and Nicole Scherzinger are set to bring a major dose of Hollywood and pop glamour to the World Cup closing ceremony at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, ahead of the tournament’s final match.
Scherzinger will share the stage with Robbie Williams and Italian star Laura Pausini in a production that FIFA says will celebrate all 48 nations that competed in the tournament.
The entertainment lineup does not stop there. Justin Bieber is scheduled to perform during the halftime show, joining a high-profile bill that also includes Madonna and Coldplay for an event expected to draw global attention just outside Manhattan.
Influencer IShowSpeed, widely known for his devotion to Cristiano Ronaldo, is also expected to appear despite Portugal no longer being in contention. Cruise’s exact role remains under wraps, with FIFA describing his involvement only as a “special appearance.” Before kickoff, Oscar-winning singer Jennifer Hudson will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the United States national anthem.
FIFA has urged ticket-holders to arrive well ahead of time so they can take part in the pre-match ceremony. Gates at the New Jersey venue will open at 11am local time, four hours before the final is scheduled to begin.
The early arrival window could also help manage what may be a complicated security and logistics operation. President Donald Trump is expected to attend, and FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said the two will present the World Cup trophy together to the winning team.
Nicole Scherzinger and Tom Cruise are set to headline Sunday’s World Cup closing ceremony
They are part of a star-heavy lineup that also features Justin Bieber, who will perform during the halftime show
It means that airport security will be in place around the stadium and fans can expect longer queues to pass through the checks before being allowed inside.
Trump’s attendance has caused chaos in the past at the US Open tennis final in Queens and the NBA Finals in Manhattan when the New York Knicks faced San Antonio Spurs.
Admittedly, both venues were working with a lot less space than what MetLife Stadium has to offer.
Trump has yet to attend a game all tournament but has said the World Cup has been the biggest and best that has ever been staged.
He did still make his presence felt by seemingly forcing Infantino and FIFA to revoke the red card given to USA striker Folarin Balogun, sparking outrage before the host nation were thrashed 4-1 by Belgium in Seattle.
Balogun admitted on Tuesday that Trump’s actions may have been more of a hinderance than a help, saying on CBS: ‘When I started to reflect, I knew it was going to cause a lot of controversy.
‘And I could almost see within my teammates a bit of nerves because it’s something that is so unique.’
But for FIFA, the show goes on and all roads lead to MetLife in New Jersey, a short drive outside of the Big Apple.
Madonna is also expected to be joining Bieber for the 11-minute show in New Jersey
Donald Trump is also set to attend and hand the trophy to the winner with Gianni Infantino
‘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,’ FIFA said in a statement on Tuesday morning.
Shakira, who is also expected to appear in the 11-minute halftime performance, kicked off the competition over a month ago in Mexico City, while respective opening ceremonies were also held in Canada – with Michael Buble performing – and in the US with Katy Perry the headliner.
As for the game itself, the first semi-final is held on Tuesday afternoon between Spain and France – most people’s favorite to win the competition on Sunday.
England face fierce rivals and defending champions Argentina in the second game in Atlanta, with Lionel Messi bidding to reach his second straight World Cup final.
Whoever advances, the showdown promises to involve two heavyweights as the last four teams standing are also the top four in FIFA’s world rankings.
