The 2026 FIFA World Cup culminated on Sunday, July 19, 2026, with Argentina and Spain facing off at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The event drew a significant number of celebrities from both the sports and entertainment industries, with many attending the final match and participating in pre-match and halftime festivities.
The tournament’s closing ceremonies and the final match featured a range of performances and appearances. FIFA Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi stated that the closing events were designed to match the energy of the opening ceremonies, which included performances by artists such as Shakira, Michael Bublé, and Katy Perry.
Halftime Show Debuts at World Cup Final
For the first time in World Cup history, the final match incorporated a halftime show. Curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, the show featured headliners Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and BTS. These artists represented the United States, Colombia, Canada, and South Korea, respectively, showcasing a global range of musical talent.
The main performers were reportedly joined by Coldplay, Nigerian singer Burna Boy, Los Angeles Philharmonic music director Gustavo Dudamel, and New York City’s PS22 Chorus, along with characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets. Justin Bieber commented on his participation, stating his gratitude for being part of the halftime show and its contribution to expanding access to education for children globally.
During the halftime show, Madonna performed a version of her song “Music,” reworked over a backing track derived from The Trammps’ “Disco Inferno.” She was accompanied by former Brazil football players Ronaldinho and Ronaldo. The show also featured three members of The Muppets’ house band, The Electric Mayhem, performing a version of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army.” BTS performed their song “Dynamite,” and Shakira and Burna Boy delivered a truncated version of “Dai Dai,” the official anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Coldplay performed a song titled “Believe in Love” with a children’s choir, while Justin Bieber performed an acoustic ballad. Jason Sudeikis also made an appearance as his character Ted Lasso, delivering a pep talk to Justin Bieber.
Pre-Match and Closing Ceremony Performances
Before the final match, the closing ceremony included performances by various artists. Jennifer Hudson performed the U.S. national anthem, while Argentinian singer-songwriter Maria Becerra performed the Argentine national anthem. The lineup for the closing ceremony also featured Post Malone, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and IShowSpeed.
Post Malone performed during the closing ceremony and teamed up with Swae Lee. Robbie Williams performed the FIFA anthem, “Desire,” alongside Laura Pausini and Nicole Scherzinger. IShowSpeed performed his track “Champions,” which was included on the official FIFA World Cup album.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed enthusiasm for the array of stars from both football and entertainment, noting that the ceremony would “set the tone for a historic FIFA World Cup final, uniting the passion of 48 teams, 16 host cities and millions of fans on one unforgettable stage.”
Celebrities in Attendance
Many notable personalities were spotted at the MetLife Stadium for the final. Among them were Donald Trump, David Beckham, Kylie Jenner, MrBeast, Winnie Harlow, Odell Beckham Jr., Julia Garner, and Gayle King. David Beckham attended with his wife Victoria Beckham and sons Romeo and Cruz, along with their respective partners, Kim Turbull and Jackie Apostel.
Music power couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé were also present. Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner were seen together. Rihanna and A$AP Rocky kept a low profile but were visible on the Jumbotron. Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union were seen on the FIFA Gold Carpet event.
Hoyeon and Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz presented the Louis Vuitton trophy trunk containing the FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy. Tom Brady, who had participated in a World Cup event at Fanatics Fest in New York days earlier, was also in attendance. Acclaimed Indian actor and filmmaker Mohanlal shared his presence at the final on social media.
Actress Anya Taylor-Joy, whose parents are Argentine, watched the match with her husband Malcolm McRae. Film producer Luciana Barroso, born in Argentina, was seen in the team’s colors with her husband Matt Damon. Other attendees included Thea Booysen, Jessica Alba, Danny Ramirez, Tate McRae, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, and Mexican musician Peso Pluma, who was seated near Timothee Chalamet’s father, journalist Marc Chalamet.
Earlier in the week, a large selfie taken at a press conference ahead of the final at Fanatics Fest in New York on Friday, July 17, included Kevin Durant, Tom Brady, Kevin Hart, Travis Scott, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Rubin, and Novak Djokovic, alongside finalists Rodri, Emiliano Martínez, and Lionel Messi.
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Source: forbes.com
Priya Nair
Sports Reporter
