World Cup closing ceremony delayed as Trump, stars take stage
The world cup closing ceremony at MetLife Stadium was delayed ahead of Spain vs Argentina, as President Donald Trump’s attendance and a star-studded show — featuring IShowSpeed, Tom Cruise and others — briefly overshadowed kickoff, with a first-ever half-time spectacular still to come.
Key Takeaways
- Fifa’s pre-match world cup closing ceremony was due 90 minutes before kickoff but started late amid security and ticketing disruption.
- Streamer IShowSpeed opened the show; Tom Cruise, Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger were also billed to appear.
- The White House confirmed Donald Trump would attend the final, a factor cited in ceremony delays.
- Half-time will feature Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Justin Bieber and Burna Boy in the first World Cup final entertainment break of its kind.
- The break may run up to 25 minutes, longer than Ifab’s usual 15-minute half-time limit.
What happened at the world cup closing ceremony?
On Sunday, 19 July 2026, Argentina and Spain prepared for the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey while the off-pitch spectacle dominated early coverage. According to The Guardian’s live blog, the ceremony was meant to begin 90 minutes before kickoff but had not started on time.
The Independent later reported the show underway after the delay, with drumming, dancers in Fifa-branded gold outfits, and IShowSpeed as the first performer — lip-syncing his track “Champions” against a Chrysler Building backdrop. The billed cast also included actors and musicians such as Tom Cruise, Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger, part of Fifa’s celebrity-heavy farewell to the tournament.
Outside the ground, fans faced lengthy queues after a Fifa ticketing system glitch left scanners unable to process tickets properly. Inside, organisers promised a “fan-centric” pre-match ceremony with large flag banners, on-pitch elements, coloured smoke or pyrotechnics, and sponsor integrations.
Why does Trump’s attendance matter for the final?
The White House confirmed President Donald Trump would attend the World Cup final. Live reporting linked the late start of the world cup closing ceremony to the kind of arena security delays that often accompany his appearances at major US sporting events.
That political guest list sits alongside a celebrity crush already familiar to this North American tournament — from Kevin Hart’s arrival to a constant parade of famous faces on big screens. For more celebrity-driven breaking updates, see BlasterPost’s Celebrity Breaking News coverage.
Who is performing in the half-time show?
After the closing pageantry, attention turns to football’s first World Cup final half-time show. The BBC reports Madonna, Shakira, BTS and Justin Bieber will headline, with Burna Boy also set to perform, in a bill curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
Fifa has framed the set as a “landmark celebration at the intersection of sport, music and global impact.” The acts are not being paid; the event will raise money for an education fund. Broadcasters including the BBC and ITV are expected to screen the full show.
The entertainment break is expected to last up to 25 minutes. That clashes with Ifab guidance that players are entitled to a maximum 15-minute stoppage, raising welfare questions after a prolonged pause. Live Nation’s James Massing, who is producing the show, told the BBC that player welfare remains “absolutely fundamental,” while some fans and pundits argue the final does not need Super Bowl-style extras.
Whatever happens on the pitch — including Lionel Messi’s possible last World Cup appearance for Argentina against European champions Spain — Sunday’s narrative began with the world cup closing ceremony, a delayed VIP arrival, and a half-time bill built to go viral.