Celebrities gather for 2026 FIFA World Cup final
The 2026 FIFA World Cup culminated on Sunday, July 19, 2026, with Argentina and Spain competing at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The final match attracted a significant number of celebrities, with many spotted in attendance. The event also featured a closing ceremony and, for the first time in World Cup history, a halftime show.
Among the notable personalities present were Donald Trump, David Beckham, Kylie Jenner, MrBeast, Winnie Harlow, Odell Beckham Jr., Julia Garner, and Gayle King. David Beckham attended with his wife, Victoria Beckham, and sons Romeo and Cruz, along with their respective partners, Kim Turbull and Jackie Apostel. Music power couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé were also on hand to watch the final. Additionally, Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner were seen together, cheering during the match.
The star presence extended throughout the week leading up to the final. A large group, including Kevin Durant, Tom Brady, Kevin Hart, Travis Scott, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Rubin, and Novak Djokovic, gathered for a selfie at a press conference ahead of the final at Fanatics Fest in New York on Friday, July 17. The event also included finalists Rodri, Emiliano Martínez, and Lionel Messi.
Halftime and closing ceremony performances
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final introduced a halftime show, curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. Headlining the inaugural halftime performance were Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and BTS, representing the United States, Colombia, Canada, and South Korea, respectively. They were joined by Coldplay, Nigerian singer Burna Boy, Los Angeles Philharmonic music director Gustavo Dudamel, and New York City’s PS22 Chorus, alongside characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets.
Justin Bieber expressed his gratitude for being part of the halftime show, noting its contribution to expanding access to education for children globally. During the performance, BTS delivered their song “Dynamite,” with members Jimin and Jung Kook also featured. Shakira performed barefoot and brought out Burna Boy for their collaboration “Dai Dai,” the official anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Actor Jason Sudeikis, in his role as Ted Lasso, also participated, giving a pep talk to Justin Bieber.
The closing ceremony featured a performance of the U.S. national anthem by Jennifer Hudson. The lineup for the closing festivities included Post Malone, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and IShowSpeed. Maria Becerra performed the Argentine national anthem before the final match. Post Malone and Swae Lee performed during the closing ceremony, with IShowSpeed also delivering a performance of “World Cup (Champions).”
The closing ceremony, which began with a pre-match concert, included a drumline and break dancers surrounding a circular stage. Models of New York landmarks, such as Washington Square Arch and The Vessel, were part of the stage design. IShowSpeed’s performance was noted for its energy, as he caught and kicked a golden football while dancers performed around him. Post Malone and Swae Lee also performed, with Swae Lee joining Post Malone for “Sunflower.”
Notable attendees and ceremony highlights
Other celebrities spotted at the final included Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, who maintained a low profile. Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union attended the FIFA Gold Carpet event. Actress Hoyeon and Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz presented the Louis Vuitton trophy trunk containing the FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy before the match. Tom Brady, who had participated in a World Cup event days earlier, was also present for the final game.
Indian actor and filmmaker Mohanlal shared his attendance at the final on social media. Luciana and Matt Damon were seen, with Luciana wearing Argentina’s colours. Actress Anya Taylor-Joy, whose parents are Argentine, watched the game with her husband, Malcolm McRae. Internet personalities Thea Booysen and MrBeast posed for photos on the FIFA Gold Carpet.
The ceremony also featured Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, who were focused on the game. Mexican musician Peso Pluma was seated next to Timothee Chalamet’s father, journalist Marc Chalamet. Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, and Robbie Williams performed together as part of the closing ceremony, singing the FIFA anthem “Desire.”
Following the musical performances, Tom Cruise appeared alone in the centre of the pitch, delivering a speech about football’s ability to unite people. He highlighted the tournament’s journey from its 48 starting nations to the finalists, Spain and Argentina. FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that the ceremony aimed to “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.”
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Source: forbes.com
