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. It takes place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. FIFA calls the venue New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament. The ceremony runs 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 also perform. Tom Cruise makes a special appearance. You can watch it all on FOX and Telemundo in the US.
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 ceremony begins at 1:30 PM ET. FIFA confirmed it starts 90 minutes before kickoff. Gates at MetLife Stadium open at 11:00 AM ET.
FIFA urges ticket holders to arrive early. Fans in the stadium have an active role in the show itself.
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. Post Malone was confirmed 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. Laura Pausini brings Italian pop star power. Nicole Scherzinger is a Tony winner and Pussycat Dolls singer. Robbie Williams performed at the 2018 World Cup opening ceremony in Moscow.
IShowSpeed attended matches all tournament long. FIFA even added his World Cup song to the official album. Now the streamer takes the stage himself.
Tom Cruise adds Hollywood glamour with a special appearance. He also appeared at the Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony. Jennifer Hudson sings the US national anthem just before kickoff. She has won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards.
FIFA says more artists and guests could still be announced. Check back before Sunday for any late additions.
What will the Ceremony Look Like?
FIFA says the ceremony celebrates the full 48-team journey. The tournament ran across 16 host cities in three countries. The show echoes the opening ceremonies in Canada, Mexico, and the USA. Expect music, culture, and football woven together on one stage.
Balich Wonder Studio produces the event. The same company created the Qatar 2022 opening and closing ceremonies.
The ceremony is separate from the halftime show. That is a different event during the same match. 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. The ceremony airs within that coverage window. FOX One is a standalone service with no cable login needed. The Fox Sports app requires a TV provider login.
Telemundo begins at 9:00 AM ET with a two-hour entertainment special. Coverage then continues straight through to kickoff. Peacock carries the full Telemundo feed in Spanish.
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. Many fans mix them up.
The closing ceremony happens before the match at 1:30 PM ET. Post Malone, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and IShowSpeed perform there.
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 co-headline the roughly 11-minute show. Coldplay’s Chris Martin curated it.
The halftime cast runs deep. Gustavo Dudamel conducts a combined orchestra. It blends the New York Philharmonic with Venezuela’s Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra. The PS22 Chorus performs with Coldplay. Ghetto Kids, Emmanuel Kelly, and Sesame Street Muppets also appear.
The show supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. The fund 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.
Who is performing at the World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony?
Post Malone headlines. Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and IShowSpeed also perform. 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. FIFA calls it 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. Telemundo carries Spanish coverage. You can stream on FOX One, the Fox Sports app, or Peacock.
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.
Who sings the national anthem at the World Cup Final?
Jennifer Hudson performs the US national anthem before kickoff. She delivers a special rendition just ahead of the match.
How long is the closing ceremony?
FIFA has not confirmed an exact length. It fills the window between 1:30 PM ET and kickoff preparations.
The World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony caps a historic tournament. It starts at 1:30 PM ET on July 19 at MetLife Stadium. Post Malone, Robbie Williams, and Tom Cruise headline the pregame spectacle.
Then Spain and Argentina battle for the trophy at 3:00 PM ET. Tune in early on FOX or Telemundo. You do not want to miss the biggest football day of 2026.
