Sports matches in the United States cannot be separated from the entertainment side. There is always an entertainment aspect presented to attract and entertain viewers, both in the stadium and those watching via television broadcasts.
Now, the closing of the World Cup, which will take place on Monday, July 20, 2026, in the early hours of the morning, will also be packaged in a distinctive United States style. Different from previous closing ceremonies, this time, for the first time, the closing of the World Cup final will be done in a Super Bowl style.
So far, the Super Bowl has indeed been identical to the celebration of the National Football League (NFL) final match, which is one of the sports branches most favored by the public in the United States. This event has become a part of the culture of Uncle Sam’s country. The event is famous for its very expensive commercial advertising tickets as well as spectacular musical performances during the match intermission (halftime show) filled by top world artists.
FIFA as the organizer of the World Cup will apply the Super Bowl style to the final later, which will bring together Spain and Argentina. This means that during the first half intermission of the final, it will last longer due to entertainment performances from well-known artists.
This has become a debate, considering that the rules of the football game actually forbid the match intermission from lasting more than 15 minutes. However, FIFA broke this regulation at the Club World Cup last year with an intermission that reached 25 minutes. Considering that the world football governing body wants to create a World Cup final first-half intermission performance that can rival the grandeur of similar events in the Super Bowl, broadcasters estimate the duration will be even longer.
This potentially makes the final match the longest edition of this most prestigious football game. Each half of the match itself already includes a three-minute drink break, which is suspected by many parties as a covert tactic to insert additional advertisements.
The final match itself will take place at the New Jersey Stadium, where the closing ceremony later will involve well-known stars such as Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and IShowSpeed, as well as a special appearance from Tom Cruise, bringing together a number of big names from the world of music and entertainment in an unforgettable celebration before the match begins.
Jennifer Hudson, an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award winner, will deliver a special rendition of the United States national anthem ahead of the World Cup final match. Likewise, Post Malone will be the main star at the closing ceremony later. As one of the most renowned performers in the world, Hudson’s stunning performance will be the perfect opener for the biggest football match as well as the most anticipated moment in this tournament. FIFA has also included Justin Bieber as a performer in the halftime show. In addition, there are still Madonna, Shakira, and BTS.
“We are proud to welcome Justin Bieber to join Madonna, Shakira, and BTS to be the main performers of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final halftime show. This is a support for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund and our mission to expand access to quality education as well as opportunities to play football for children all over the world,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Characteristic
This closing ceremony will celebrate the global passion, emotion, and soul that are the characteristics of the 23rd FIFA World Cup. “At a time when the worlds of sports, culture, and global attention meet, Post Malone will deliver a performance designed to celebrate the journey of this tournament as well as evoke spirit before the world’s attention turns to the two finalists,” said Infantino.
He stated that the World Cup final this time is indeed held differently from before, because the moments and atmosphere directly felt by the fans during following the match will continue to leave an impression.
“We are very enthusiastic to welcome the presence of so many stars both from the world of football and entertainment on the field. This closing ceremony will be the opener for a historic FIFA World Cup final match, uniting the spirit of 48 teams, 16 host cities, and millions of fans on one unforgettable stage,” he said.
Chief Operating Officer of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Heimo Schirgi, said that the closing ceremony was designed as a tribute to the journey of all participants throughout the tournament. The performance will present an experience that blends sports, music, and culture on one stage. “Reflecting the spirit of the opening ceremony that welcomed the world on the biggest stage in Canada, Mexico, and the United States,” said Heimo Schirgi.
This closing ceremony completes the journey of the World Cup which also involves music, culture, and football before the highly anticipated match begins to determine the champion of the historic tournament. Through a combination of a spectacular closing ceremony and a final match full of prestige, FIFA hopes the 2026 World Cup leaves a deep impression for football lovers all over the world. This tournament is also projected to become one of the most historic editions in the long journey of the World Cup.
