New York New Jersey stadium hosts star-studded 2026 FIFA World Cup final

By Sanjay Menon — 20 July 2026 — 5 min read

Celebrities gather for 2026 FIFA World Cup final

The 2026 FIFA World Cup culminated on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where Argentina and Spain competed in the final match. The event drew a significant number of celebrities, with many attending the game and participating in various performances and ceremonies.

The star power was evident throughout the tournament, beginning with the opening ceremonies which featured performances by artists such as Shakira, Michael Bublé, and Katy Perry. FIFA Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi indicated that the closing festivities were designed to maintain this high level of energy.

A notable addition to this year’s final was the introduction of a Halftime Show, a first in World Cup history. Curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, the show featured headliners Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and BTS. These artists represented a global musical presence, hailing from the United States, Colombia, Canada, and South Korea, respectively.

The Halftime Show also included performances by Coldplay, Nigerian singer Burna Boy, Los Angeles Philharmonic music director Gustavo Dudamel, and New York City’s PS22 Chorus. Characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets also made an appearance, contributing to the diverse entertainment lineup.

Justin Bieber commented on his involvement, stating, “The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can. I’m grateful to be part of this Halftime Show, and even more grateful knowing it’s already helping expand access to education for children around the world.”

The closing ceremony, held before the final match, featured Jennifer Hudson performing the U.S. national anthem. Other performers included Post Malone, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and IShowSpeed. FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted the significance of the event, noting that the ceremony would “set the tone for a historic FIFA World Cup final, uniting the passion of 48 teams, 16 host cities and millions of fans on one unforgettable stage.”

Pre-match and Halftime Entertainment Highlights

The pre-match entertainment included a performance by IShowSpeed, who sang “Champions,” a track that gained significant online traction. Jennifer Hudson delivered the U.S. national anthem, and Robbie Williams performed the FIFA anthem, “Desire,” alongside Laura Pausini and Nicole Scherzinger. Maria Becerra, an Argentinian singer-songwriter, performed the Argentine national anthem before the final match between Spain and Argentina.

The Halftime Show, despite some debate regarding its introduction, was described as a comparative triumph. It condensed numerous performances into 11 minutes by featuring truncated versions of songs and quick transitions between artists. Madonna performed a reworked version of her 2000 hit “Music,” appearing on a vehicle piloted by former Brazil football players Ronaldinho and Ronaldo.

The show also saw three members of The Muppets’ house band, the Electric Mayhem, perform a rendition of the White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army.” BTS performed their global hit “Dynamite,” while Shakira and Burna Boy presented a shortened version of “Dai Dai,” the official anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Coldplay performed “Believe in Love” with a children’s choir, accompanied by vuvuzela players.

Jason Sudeikis, in his character as Ted Lasso, delivered a pep talk to Justin Bieber as part of the Halftime Show. Justin Bieber also showcased his vocal and guitar skills with an acoustic performance. Shakira performed barefoot during her segment of the Halftime Show, and later brought out Burna Boy to collaborate on “Dai Dai.”

Notable Attendees and Red Carpet Appearances

The week leading up to the final saw many celebrities in the East Coast. A large selfie taken at a press conference ahead of the World Cup Final at Fanatics Fest in New York on Friday, July 17, included Kevin Durant, Tom Brady, Kevin Hart, Travis Scott, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Rubin, and Novak Djokovic, alongside finalists Rodri, Emiliano Martínez, and Lionel Messi.

On Gameday Sunday, numerous personalities were spotted at the New Jersey finale. These included Donald Trump, David Beckham, Kylie Jenner, MrBeast, Winnie Harlow, Odell Beckham Jr., Julia Garner, and Gayle King.

Among the attendees were David, Victoria, Cruz, and Romeo Beckham, with Romeo’s girlfriend Kim Turbull and Cruz’s girlfriend Jackie Apostel also present. Music power couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé were also in attendance. Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner were seen cheering during the match. Rihanna and A$AP Rocky kept a low profile but were visible on the Jumbotron.

Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union attended the FIFA Gold Carpet event. Hoyeon, the actress from Squid Games, and Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz presented the Louis Vuitton trophy trunk containing the FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy before the final match. Tom Brady, who had participated in a World Cup event earlier in the week, was also present for the final game.

Indian actor and filmmaker Mohanlal shared his attendance at the final on social media. Luciana, an Argentine film producer, and her husband Matt Damon showed their support for Argentina by wearing the team’s colors. Actress Anya Taylor-Joy, who has Argentine heritage, watched the match with her husband Malcolm McRae. Thea Booysen and MrBeast posed for photos on the FIFA Gold Carpet. Actors Jessica Alba and Danny Ramirez were also seen attending the game. Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick were focused on the match, with Broderick wearing a World Cup Final cap. Mexican musician Peso Pluma was seated next to Timothee Chalamet’s father, journalist Marc Chalamet, who was with his son and Kylie Jenner. Laura Pausini, the Italian singer, walked the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Red Carpet before her performance in the closing ceremony.

Source: forbes.com