World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony: Everything You Need to Know About the Event

Last updated: Jul 16, 2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is just days from its grand finale.

Spain and Argentina booked their places in the final after dramatic semi-final wins on July 14 and July 15, and FIFA has now confirmed the details of the closing ceremony that will take place before kick-off.

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World Cup closing ceremony performances

FIFA has confirmed the show will celebrate the 48 teams’ journey across the three host countries and 16 host cities, produced in creative partnership with Balich Wonder Studio.

Performers

FIFA confirmed the closing ceremony lineup on July 14. The pre-match show will feature performances from Nicole Scherzinger, Laura Pausini and Robbie Williams, plus a set from streamer IShowSpeed.

Actor Tom Cruise will make a special appearance, and EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson will perform the United States national anthem immediately before kick-off.

This is separate from the World Cup Final Halftime Show, a new mid-match segment produced by Global Citizen and curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, which will feature Madonna, Shakira, BTS and Justin Bieber. That show takes place at half-time during the match itself, not as part of the pre-match closing ceremony.

Trophy presentation

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that US President Donald Trump will jointly present the World Cup trophy to the winning captain, alongside Infantino himself. This breaks from recent tradition, where Infantino presented the trophy alone at the 2018 and 2022 finals.

As is customary since 2010, the Louis Vuitton trophy trunk will also be carried onto the pitch by a Louis Vuitton ambassador and a FIFA Legend. FIFA had not named either individual as of publication.

World Cup 2026 closing ceremony location & time

The closing ceremony and final will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Because of FIFA’s sponsorship policies, the venue is referred to as “New York New Jersey Stadium” for the duration of the tournament.

FIFA has confirmed the full schedule for Sunday, July 19, local time:

Gates open: 11:00 (four hours before kick-off, with pre-match activations beginning straight away)
Closing ceremony begins: 13:30
Final kick-off: 15:00 (3:00pm ET)

FIFA has asked fans to arrive early, since the ceremony starts 90 minutes before kick-off.

World Cup 2026 closing ceremony tickets

Tickets for the final and closing ceremony are still on sale through FIFA’s official channels, though supply is limited this close to the match. FIFA’s official pricing for the final originally ranged from $2,030 to $6,730 depending on category.

As of the week of July 10-16, 2026, FIFA’s last-minute sales site was still offering:

Around 1,200 Category 2 seats in the upper deck, priced at $7,380
Category 1 lower-deck seats, priced from $19,995 to $32,970
Trophy Lounge hospitality packages (including food and drink), priced at $32,500 to $34,500

On the resale market, prices are far higher. Resale-tracking data has put the average final ticket at around $13,700, with some premium listings near $200,000 — a steep jump from the 2022 Qatar final, where the most expensive official ticket cost about $1,600.

Because prices and availability change quickly this close to the match, check FIFA’s official resale platform and reputable resale marketplaces directly before buying.

For more on ticket categories generally, see our dedicated guide to FIFA World Cup tickets.

How to watch the closing ceremony from home

Not travelling to New Jersey? The closing ceremony and final will be broadcast worldwide, though the free and paid options vary a lot by country. Here’s where to find the details for a few key markets:

India: the broadcast airs on Zee’s Unite8 Sports channels and streams on ZEE5, with the final also free on DD Sports. See our full guide to watching the World Cup in India.
Pakistan: every match, including the final, streams on tapmad, with selected matches free-to-air on PTV Sports. See our full guide to watching the World Cup in Pakistan.
Bangladesh: the final airs free on state broadcaster BTV, alongside Somoy TV, T Sports, and streaming apps including Toffee and Bioscope+. See our full guide to watching the World Cup in Bangladesh.
The Gulf (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman): beIN Sports and TOD hold exclusive rights, so there’s no free-to-air channel, but public fan zones and screenings are free to attend. See our full guide to watching the World Cup free in the GCC.

Kick-off times differ significantly by region because of the time difference with the US East Coast, so check each guide for the exact local time.

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.