FIFA is going all-out for the final day of the 2026 World Cup. While the action on the pitch between Argentina and Spain will be the main event, with a winner being crowned from the original 48-team field, there will be plenty of glamour to accompany Sunday's World Cup final. From the pre-match closing ceremony to the halftime show, a long list of world-renowned performers is set to take the spotlight.

Here's a comprehensive look at every performer for Sunday's 2026 World Cup final, including detailed backgrounds and career highlights.

Pre-Match Closing Ceremony

The pre-match closing ceremony at MetLife Stadium will feature multiple performances, setting the stage for the championship game. FIFA announced earlier in July that a variety of well-known singers and entertainers would participate.

Jennifer Hudson – National Anthem Singer

Jennifer Hudson will perform the U.S. national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." The Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award winner became the youngest woman and third African-American recipient of all four major American entertainment awards. Hudson, 44, first rose to fame as a contestant on "American Idol" and quickly became a star R&B singer and actress. She has also hosted her own talk show since 2022. Just days before the World Cup final, she performed "America The Beautiful" at the 2026 MLB All-Star Game.

Laura Pausini

Italian singer and songwriter Laura Pausini, 52, will also perform during the closing ceremony. Pausini primarily performs in Italian and Spanish for her pop and pop rock music. She first rose to fame in 1993 with the song "La solitudine." Over her career, she has released 15 studio albums, appeared as a coach on Mexican and Spanish versions of "The Voice," and won a Grammy Award in 2006 for Best Latin Pop Album. Her powerful vocals and emotional ballads have made her a beloved figure in Latin music.

Nicole Scherzinger

Nicole Scherzinger, known for her role in the Pussycat Dolls, will take the stage. The American R&B/pop group is one of the world's best-selling female groups ever. Scherzinger, a singer, actress, and television personality, has also released solo music, appeared as a judge on various talent shows, and made appearances in "Moana," "Dirty Dancing," and "Annie Live!" She is a one-time Grammy Award nominee and a Tony Award winner.

Robbie Williams

English singer and songwriter Robbie Williams rounds out the singers for the closing ceremony. He has received a record 18 Brit Awards, including Best British Male Artist four times. Williams first found fame as a member of the pop group Take That but launched a successful solo career in 1996. He has seven UK No. 1 singles, 13 UK No. 1 studio albums, and an estimated 75-80 million records sold worldwide. In 2024, a biographical film titled "Better Man" was released, and Williams became president of Port Vale Football Club.

IShowSpeed

American influencer and streamer IShowSpeed, real name Darren Jason Watkins Jr., will also take the field for the closing ceremony. The 21-year-old has skyrocketed into internet fame with his energetic behavior and large social media following, often serving as a cultural ambassador for Gen Z. He has released songs like "World Cup" (2022) and "Champions" (2026), which was featured on FIFA's official World Cup Album. His role in the ceremony remains unclear but adds a contemporary digital culture element.

Tom Cruise

Action-movie star Tom Cruise will also have a mystery role in the closing ceremony. The 64-year-old actor, known for the "Mission: Impossible" and "Top Gun" franchises, is one of the highest-paid and most recognizable Hollywood stars. His films have grossed over $13 billion worldwide, and he has won three Golden Globes. Cruise is famous for doing his own risky stunts, adding an element of excitement to any event he participates in.

Musical Performances

Shakira and Burna Boy

Shakira has been a staple of World Cup performances since 2006. For 2026, her official World Cup song is "Dai Dai" featuring Burna Boy, and both will perform at the closing ceremony. They previously performed the song during the opening ceremony in Mexico City. Shakira, often called "The Queen of Latin Music," has won four Grammy Awards and 15 Latin Grammy Awards. Burna Boy, a Nigerian singer and songwriter, made history as the first African artist to have two albums earn over 1 billion streams on Spotify. He gained fame in 2012 with "Like to Party" and has released eight studio albums, winning Best International Act at the 2019 BET Awards and Best World Music Album at the Grammy Awards.

Halftime Show

The halftime show will feature some of the biggest names in music, curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

Post Malone

Post Malone, 29, will perform at halftime. Known for his genre-blending style ranging from rap to country, he shot to fame with his 2015 single "White Iverson." With over 150 million records sold in the U.S. alone, he has won 11 Billboard Music Awards, five American Music Awards, six MTV Video Music Awards, and earned 18 Grammy nominations. Post Malone previously performed "America the Beautiful" at the 2024 Super Bowl and performed at halftime of a Cowboys Thanksgiving game in 2025.

Madonna

Madonna, 67, one of the most influential musicians of all time, will also perform. As the best-selling female music artist ever, she has amassed over $1 billion in concert sales. Her career includes 12 Billboard No. 1 singles, 10 No. 1 albums, seven Grammy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Known for constantly reinventing herself, her presence at the World Cup halftime show is a major coup for FIFA.

Justin Bieber

Canadian pop star Justin Bieber, 32, will also take the stage. Bieber rose to fame as a teen and has become one of the best-selling music artists ever. His accolades include two Grammy Awards, a Latin Grammy Award, eight Juno Awards, and numerous Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, and MTV Europe Music Awards. Bieber expressed his gratitude for being part of the show, noting that it helps expand access to education for children worldwide.

BTS

South Korean boy band BTS (Bangtan Boys) will also perform at halftime. The group consists of Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook. BTS has achieved global success, becoming the fastest group since the Beatles to chart four U.S. number-one albums in less than two years and the fastest to earn six U.S. number-one singles since the Beatles in 1966. After completing mandatory military service, the band released their first album in years, "Arirang," in March 2026. With over 40 million albums sold, BTS is the best-selling musical act in South Korean history.

Gustavo Dudamel

Conductor Gustavo Dudamel, who has conducted since 1999, will lead the orchestral elements of the halftime show. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, multiple Grammy Awards for Best Classical Compendium, and has made guest appearances on "Sesame Street" and "The Simpsons." His musical direction adds classical grandeur to the pop-heavy lineup.

PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay

The PS22 Chorus, an award-winning elementary school chorus from Staten Island, New York, will perform alongside Coldplay. Directed by Gregg Breinberg, the chorus consists of 60-70 fifth-graders. They have gained global attention through YouTube and have performed with artists like Katy Perry, O.A.R., and Carrie Underwood. Coldplay's Chris Martin curated the entire halftime lineup, and his band will collaborate with the chorus for a memorable performance.

The 2026 World Cup final promises to be a spectacle both on and off the pitch. With a diverse array of performers spanning multiple genres and generations, the event is set to captivate a global audience. From the national anthem to the closing notes, every moment will be filled with star power and cultural significance.

Source:MSN News