Post Malone, Robbie Williams Light Up World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony

From the songs that fill stadiums before kickoff to the chants that travel from one match to the next, music has long been part of the way fans experience the game

Casablanca – The FIFA World Cup 2026 final came with its own soundtrack, as the closing ceremony at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford brought football, music, and live entertainment together ahead of Argentina and Spain’s highly anticipated showdown.

With 48 teams having taken part across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the closing ceremony offered a final look back at a tournament that brought the world’s game to 16 stadiums across three countries.

The evening opened with drummers spread across the pitch, setting the rhythm for what followed.

Against a sea of yellow and surrounded by US landmarks, the stadium took on a theatrical feel, with the pitch becoming a stage where the energy of football met the language of live music.

IShowSpeed opens the show

Wearing a white suit, IShowSpeed kicked off the musical performances with “Champions,” one of the official FIFA songs of this year’s tournament.

The performance was accompanied by dancers dressed in a vibrant mix of red, orange, green, yellow, electric blue, mauve, and shades of deep pink, while another group took the stage in shimmering gold suits.

Post Malone and Swae Lee take over the pitch

Post Malone then made his grand entrance with “Chrome Heartbreaker,” bringing his signature energy to the stadium as flames rose around the stage.

He was later joined by Swae Lee, who appeared in a brown outfit topped with a yellow jacket featuring large brown polka dots, as the pair performed “Sunflower” together.

After a brief pause in the celebrations, the players took to the pitch for their pre-match warm-up as anticipation built around the stadium. The ceremony then resumed with Jennifer Hudson.

Jennifer Hudson performs the US national anthem

Jennifer Hudson then took the stage to perform the US national anthem, adding a more ceremonial moment to the evening before the focus shifted back to the global celebration of football and music.

Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, and Laura Pausini then came together to perform the FIFA anthem “Desire,” all dressed in blue and surrounded by performers holding the flags of the participating countries.

The ceremony then turned to one of football’s most iconic symbols, as Louis Vuitton ambassadors entered the stadium carrying the World Cup trophy inside its signature Louis Vuitton travel case before unveiling it to the entire crowd.

Tom Cruise as a special guest

Special guest Tom Cruise then took the stage, reflecting on the unique emotions surrounding the World Cup and the way the tournament brings people and friends together from across the world. “These stories belong to everyone of us,” he said.

With the ceremony setting the mood for the evening, attention will now turn to the highly anticipated final between Argentina and Spain, as anticipation is rising on who will lift the World Cup trophy.

The show continues at halftime

But the music will not stop once the match begins. For the first time in the tournament’s history, the halftime break will feature a dedicated musical show, turning the pause between the two halves into another moment of celebration before the final resumes.

The halftime show, set to exceed the traditional 15 minutes, will feature BTS, Justin Bieber, Madonna, and Shakira, with the performances curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

When football gets a soundtrack

Beyond the performances themselves, the ceremony captured a connection that has long been part of the football experience.

There is something about football and music that has always made them natural companions.

From the songs that fill stadiums before kickoff to the chants that travel from one match to the next, music has long been part of the way fans experience the game, turning individual moments into memories shared by millions.

The World Cup takes that connection to another level. Its songs, performances, and opening and closing ceremonies become part of the tournament’s cultural identity, living alongside the goals, celebrations, and unforgettable matches long after the final whistle.