Post Malone to Headline World Cup Closing Ceremony at MetLife Stadium

American rapper Post Malone will headline the World Cup closing ceremony starting at 1:30 p.m. at MetLife Stadium before the 3 p.m. kickoff.

Post Malone will headline the World Cup closing ceremony at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday. The performance is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m., exactly 90 minutes before the 3 p.m. kickoff of the final match. FIFA confirmed the American rapper-singer’s leading role on Wednesday, following an initial announcement on Tuesday regarding the broader talent lineup. This event serves to conclude a tournament that spanned 16 host cities across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, involving 48 different national teams.

Jennifer Hudson, an EGOT winner, is set to perform the U.S. national anthem as part of the festivities. The ceremony also features a special appearance by actor Tom Cruise, who previously performed a stunt at the Paris Olympics. Streamer IShowSpeed, who has broadcasted multiple matches during the tournament, is officially listed as a performer. These contributors will be joined by British singer Robbie Williams, a former member of Take That, and Nicole Scherzinger, a Tony Award winner and member of the Pussycat Dolls. Italian vocalist Laura Pausini, who participated in the Milan Cortina Olympics opening in February, is also confirmed for the show.

Production Details and MetLife Stadium Schedule

Balich Wonder Studio is producing the event in partnership with FIFA. The studio is led by Marco Balich, the individual responsible for orchestrating both the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar. According to Heimo Schirgi, the World Cup’s chief operating officer, the show aims to bring the 2026 tournament full circle by echoing the spirit of the opening ceremonies. The production is designed to integrate music, culture, and football before crowning the champions of the groundbreaking 48-team competition.

Ticketholders have been encouraged by governing officials to arrive at the East Rutherford venue early. FIFA stated that fans in attendance will have an active role to play during the performance. While this specific ceremony concludes the pre-match activities, Sunday’s final will also introduce the tournament’s first-ever halftime show, which is expected to feature a separate group of A-list performers.

A Global Lineup for the Final Match

The ceremony is intended to celebrate the journey of the 48 teams through the three host nations. The inclusion of Robbie Williams follows his previous history with the tournament, while the addition of Jennifer Hudson brings Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony credentials to the national anthem performance. The event marks a transition from the group stages and knockout rounds into the final crowning moment of the competition. FIFA officials described the tournament as a groundbreaking event that utilized a wide array of international talent to bridge the gap between sports and entertainment.

Football’s governing body emphasized that the closing ceremony is not a new concept for the World Cup, despite the addition of new elements like the halftime show. The 1:30 p.m. start time is fixed to ensure the field is cleared for the championship match at 3 p.m. The selection of performers like IShowSpeed and Post Malone reflects a strategy to incorporate diverse entertainment figures into the traditional soccer landscape. All scheduled events at MetLife Stadium are designed to highlight the cultural impact of the 16 host cities involved in the 2026 cycle.