FIFA World Cup 2026 Final: The FIFA World Cup 2026 will conclude with an entertainment-packed final on Sunday, July 19, at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where FIFA is introducing the tournament’s first-ever Super Bowl-style half-time show alongside a star-studded closing ceremony.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will be contested between Argentina and Spain on Sunday, July 19, at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), East Rutherford, New Jersey. Argentina reached the final after defeating England, while Spain booked their place by overcoming France.
Confirmed starting XIs are typically announced around one hour before kick-off on match day.
FIFA has confirmed that the closing ceremony will begin 90 minutes before kick-off, starting at 1:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. BST).
The ceremony will feature performances by Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger and IShowSpeed, while Tom Cruise is scheduled to make a special appearance. FIFA said additional guests may also be part of the celebrations as the tournament comes to a close after 39 days across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Academy Award and Grammy-winning singer Jennifer Hudson has been chosen to perform the United States national anthem before the World Cup final.
FIFA said Hudson’s rendition will take place shortly before kick-off, helping set the stage for what is expected to be one of the most-watched sporting events of the year.
For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, the final will feature a dedicated half-time musical performance.
The show, curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay in partnership with Global Citizen, will be headlined by Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS. Additional performances are expected from Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay, with other surprise appearances also planned. The event supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
According to FIFA, the musical segment is expected to last around 11 minutes, although the overall half-time interval could be extended beyond football’s traditional 15-minute break to accommodate stage setup and removal.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 final timings:
Football fans in the United Kingdom can watch the FIFA World Cup final live on BBC One and ITV1, with streaming available through BBC iPlayer and ITVX.
Both broadcasters have confirmed they will air the entire half-time show, ensuring viewers do not miss the historic entertainment spectacle between the two halves of the final. Coverage begins ahead of the 8 p.m. BST kick-off.
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