World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony: Start Time, Performers, How to Watch & Full Schedule
The World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony starts at 1:30 PM ET on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. FIFA calls the venue New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament. The show fills the 90 minutes before the Spain vs Argentina Final kicks off at 3:00 PM ET.
Bottom line: Post Malone headlines the ceremony. Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and IShowSpeed join him, Tom Cruise makes a special appearance, and Jennifer Hudson sings the US national anthem before kickoff. Watch it on FOX in English or Telemundo in Spanish.
World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony Quick Facts
| Date | Sunday, July 19, 2026 |
| Start Time | 1:30 PM ET (90 minutes before kickoff) |
| Venue | MetLife Stadium (New York New Jersey Stadium) |
| Location | East Rutherford, New Jersey |
| Stadium Gates Open | 11:00 AM ET |
| Final Kickoff | 3:00 PM ET, Spain vs Argentina |
| Headliner | Post Malone |
| Producer | Balich Wonder Studio |
| TV (English) | FOX |
| TV (Spanish) | Telemundo |
| Streaming | FOX One, Fox Sports app, Peacock |
What Time is the World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony?
The World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony begins at 1:30 PM ET, exactly 90 minutes before kickoff, as confirmed by FIFA. Gates at MetLife Stadium open at 11:00 AM ET, and FIFA urges ticket holders to arrive early because fans inside the stadium play an active role in the show.
Here is the start time in major time zones:
| Time Zone | Ceremony Start | Final Kickoff |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Time (ET) | 1:30 PM | 3:00 PM |
| Central Time (CT) | 12:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Mountain Time (MT) | 11:30 AM | 1:00 PM |
| Pacific Time (PT) | 10:30 AM | 12:00 PM |
| United Kingdom (BST) | 6:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| Central Europe (CEST) | 7:30 PM | 9:00 PM |
| Bangladesh (BST) | 11:30 PM | 1:00 AM (July 20) |
| Australia (AEST) | 3:30 AM (July 20) | 5:00 AM (July 20) |
World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony Performers
FIFA revealed the lineup in stages during Final week and confirmed Post Malone as headliner on July 15. Here is every confirmed performer:
| Performer | Role |
|---|---|
| Post Malone | Headliner |
| Laura Pausini | Performer |
| Nicole Scherzinger | Performer |
| Robbie Williams | Performer |
| IShowSpeed | Performer |
| Tom Cruise | Special appearance |
| Jennifer Hudson | US national anthem (pregame) |
Post Malone leads the show as the main act. Robbie Williams, a FIFA Music Ambassador, performed at the 2018 World Cup opening ceremony in Moscow. Laura Pausini and Tony winner Nicole Scherzinger add global star power, while IShowSpeed takes the stage after following the whole tournament as a fan. FIFA even added his World Cup song to the official album.
Tom Cruise brings a Hollywood moment, just as he did at the Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony. Jennifer Hudson, a winner of Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards, sings the US national anthem right before kickoff.
What will the Ceremony Look Like?
FIFA says the ceremony celebrates the journey of all 48 teams across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico, and the USA. Expect music, culture, and football woven together on one stage, echoing the opening ceremonies in the three host countries.
Balich Wonder Studio produces the event in creative partnership with FIFA. The same company created the Qatar 2022 opening and closing ceremonies. Note that the closing ceremony is separate from the halftime show, which happens during the match itself. More on that below.
How to Watch the World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony
You have several easy options in the United States:
| Platform | Language | Type | Coverage Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| FOX | English | TV | 11:00 AM ET pregame show |
| FOX One | English | Streaming | With FOX coverage |
| Fox Sports app | English | Streaming | With FOX coverage |
| Telemundo | Spanish | TV | 9:00 AM ET special |
| Peacock | Spanish | Streaming | With Telemundo coverage |
FOX starts a four hour pregame show at 11:00 AM ET, and the ceremony airs within that coverage window. FOX One is a standalone service with no cable login needed, while the Fox Sports app requires a TV provider login. FOX Sports also streams free pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage on its YouTube channel and Tubi.
Telemundo begins at 9:00 AM ET with Celebrando el Mundial, a two hour entertainment special, then continues straight through to kickoff. Peacock carries the full Telemundo feed in Spanish. Viewers in the UK can watch on BBC and ITV.
Also Check: How to watch FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Online
Full Schedule for World Cup Final Sunday
Here is how the whole day unfolds at MetLife Stadium:
| Time (ET) | Event |
|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Telemundo pregame special begins |
| 11:00 AM | Stadium gates open, FOX pregame begins |
| 1:30 PM | Closing ceremony starts |
| Before 3:00 PM | Jennifer Hudson sings the US national anthem |
| 3:00 PM | Spain vs Argentina Final kicks off |
| Around 3:45 PM | Halftime show begins |
| Around 5:00 PM | Trophy presentation (if no extra time) |
Closing Ceremony vs Halftime Show: Know the Difference
These are two separate events on the same day, and many fans mix them up. The closing ceremony happens before the match at 1:30 PM ET with Post Malone and the artists listed above.
The halftime show happens during the match, around 3:45 PM ET. It is the first halftime show in World Cup Final history. Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, Burna Boy, and BTS headline a set of about 11 minutes that Coldplay frontman Chris Martin curated. Reports say FIFA will stretch the break to roughly 20 to 25 minutes for stage setup and removal.
The cast runs deep. Gustavo Dudamel conducts a combined orchestra that blends the New York Philharmonic with the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela. The PS22 Chorus, Ghetto Kids, Emmanuel Kelly, and the Sesame Street Muppets also appear.
The show supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise 100 million dollars for children’s education worldwide.
FAQ about World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony
What time does the World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony start?
It starts at 1:30 PM ET on Sunday, July 19, 2026. That is 90 minutes before the 3:00 PM ET kickoff of the Final.
Who is performing at the World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony?
Post Malone headlines. Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and IShowSpeed also perform, and Tom Cruise makes a special appearance.
Where is the World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony?
It takes place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which FIFA calls New York New Jersey Stadium. The stadium hosts the Spain vs Argentina Final right after.
What channel is the closing ceremony on?
FOX carries English coverage in the US and Telemundo carries Spanish coverage. You can stream on FOX One, the Fox Sports app, or Peacock. UK viewers can watch on BBC and ITV.
Is the closing ceremony the same as the halftime show?
No. The closing ceremony runs before kickoff at 1:30 PM ET. The halftime show runs during the match with Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, Burna Boy, and BTS, curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.
Who sings the national anthem at the World Cup Final?
Jennifer Hudson performs the US national anthem just before kickoff.
How long is the closing ceremony?
FIFA has not confirmed an exact running time. The show fills the window between 1:30 PM ET and final match preparations.
The World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony caps a historic tournament of 48 teams. It starts at 1:30 PM ET on July 19 at MetLife Stadium with Post Malone, Robbie Williams, and Tom Cruise leading the spectacle.
Then Spain and Argentina battle for the trophy at 3:00 PM ET. Tune in early on FOX or Telemundo, because this is the biggest football day of 2026.
