FIFA World Cup final: What time will the closing ceremony start? Watch Post Malone, Jennifer Hudson, IShowSpeed today

The World Cup 2026 closing ceremony starts at 1:30pm ET on Sunday with Post Malone headlining and Tom Cruise making a special appearance.

Published on: Jul 19, 2026, 22:53:04 IST

By Khushi Arora

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The FIFA World Cup 2026 final will feature a star-studded closing ceremony and the tournament's first-ever halftime show before Argentina face Spain.

The World Cup 2026 closing ceremony will begin at 1:30pm ET on Sunday. (REUTERS)

What time does the World Cup 2026 closing ceremony start?

As 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to an end today, July 19, with Argentina and Spain playing the final match. The closing ceremony will begin at 1:30pm ET, ahead of the big match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, known to FIFA as the New York New Jersey Stadium.

FIFA World Cup Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi said the closing ceremony will match the energy of the opening ceremonies held earlier in the tournament. "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," he said in a press release.

Also Follow: Spain vs Argentina LIVE Score, FIFA World Cup Final

Who is performing at the closing ceremony

The closing ceremony will open with a special performance of the US national anthem by Jennifer Hudson.

Post Malone will headline the ceremony. Other performers include Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and IShowSpeed. Actor Tom Cruise is also set to make a special appearance during the event.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino spoke about the big lineup of stars for the ceremony. “We are thrilled to have so many stars taking to the pitch, from both the football and entertainment worlds,” he said in a press release. “The closing ceremony will 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.”

Also Read: What time is FIFA World Cup Final half-time show? Check how to watch BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira live today

A halftime show

After the closing ceremony, the final match will also feature something never seen before in the tournament's history, a halftime show. This will be the first time in 96 years of the FIFA World Cup that a final has included a halftime show.

The halftime show will be curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin and will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. It will feature Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and BTS as co-headliners, along with Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, PS22 Chorus and Coldplay.

How to watch the closing ceremony and halftime show

Fans can watch the headline show through their local broadcasters, including Fox and Fox One in the US Spanish-language coverage will be available on Peacock.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Khushi Arora
Khushi Arora is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times, where she writes for the US Desk, covering everything happening in the United States, while maintaining quality and delivering impactful stories across all beats. She previously worked at Zee News for over a year where she explored multiple beats including News Desk, Education and Lifestyle. With a background in English Literature, Khushi blends sharp research with thoughtful storytelling, shaping stories that go beyond headlines and bring clarity and credibility to every piece she writes. Beyond the newsroom, she enjoys reading, watching cinema and loves having long conversations about books, films and everything in between.Read More

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