The 2026 World Cup final will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, pitting Spain against Argentina in a clash of football’s two most successful nations.
A ceremony before the kickoff
The closing ceremony is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. local time, celebrating the tournament’s journey across host cities and teams. Headlining the event is Post Malone, who will be joined on stage by Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and actor Tom Cruise.
The halftime show, expected to start around 3:45 p.m., will run for roughly 11 minutes and showcase a diverse roster of artists, including Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, Burna Boy, and the orchestral talents of Gustavo Dudamel with the PS22 Chorus.
Broadcast rights across the globe will see the match aired on FOX and Telemundo in the United States, on CTV and TSN in Canada, on TelevisaUnivision and TV Azteca in Mexico, and on beIN Sports throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
Beyond entertainment, the event underscores the tournament’s global reach, with fans in more than 30 countries expected to tune in, and highlights the role of FIFA and the International Football Association Board in shaping the competition’s format and regulations.