The 2026 FIFA World Cup is already barreling towards its epic conclusion, and if you thought the action on the pitch was all we had, you were dead wrong. On Sunday, July 19, football fans worldwide will witness the massive final between Spain and Argentina, kicking off at 3 p.m. ET from the New York/New Jersey Stadium. But hold up, because this isn’t just about 90 minutes of football; this finale is packed with a Super Bowl-style halftime show and a full-blown closing ceremony that nobody’s going to forget.
Argentina Chasing History, Spain Eyeing the Future
This final isn’t short on storylines, that’s for sure. Argentina, led by none other than superstar Lionel Messi, is looking to pull off something truly special: become the first World Cup champion to repeat since Brazil did it way back in 1962. Talk about making history! On the other side, Spain’s La Roja isn’t just playing for the trophy now; they want to carry that title straight into the 2030 World Cup, an event Spain will host alongside Morocco and Portugal. Before all that goes down, Saturday, July 18, brings us the third-place match between France and England at 5 p.m. ET from Miami Stadium. You can catch all this action on Fox, Telemundo, or Fox One.
The Stage is Set: Superstars and Surprise Guests
Now, let’s talk about the spectacle off the pitch, because FIFA is going all out. The closing ceremony itself is slated to begin at 1:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, 90 minutes before the final whistle. And guess who’s headlining the whole thing? Pop star Post Malone! FIFA President Gianni Infantino himself said Post Malone’s performance is “designed to celebrate the tournament’s journey and ignite the atmosphere.” On top of that, you’ve got Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, and Nicole Scherzinger also scheduled to perform during the ceremony. Jennifer Hudson will be there to sing the U.S. national anthem before the final match. And if that wasn’t enough, expect appearances from streaming sensation IShowSpeed and Hollywood legend Tom Cruise. Seriously, what a lineup!
Halftime Madness: Madonna, BTS, and Kermit?!
But wait, there’s more! When Argentina and Spain hit intermission, fans are in for a treat with the first-ever World Cup halftime show. Curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, this Super Bowl-style performance is going to extend halftime past its usual 15-minute limit, though probably not for as long as an actual Super Bowl break. The list of known performers for this truly star-studded event includes Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, Justin Bieber, and Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Coldplay itself is also slated to perform alongside the New York-based PS22 Chorus. And here’s the absolute kicker: The Muppets are joining the party! Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Count von Count are all confirmed to appear. Yes, you read that right. Elmo and Madonna together. It’s wild, and it’s all designed to raise funds for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. Get ready, because Sunday is going to be absolutely packed!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Leave a Reply