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The 2026 World Cup the finale will have two performances: one before the show and one at halftime.
The game will be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday July 19, with some of the world’s most famous musicians performing as part of the festivities.
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Here’s what you need to know:
When is the World Cup 2026 final?
The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina will take place on Sunday, July 19.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3pm local time in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which is 19:00 GMT.
The game will be played at MetLife Stadium, home of the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets. During the tournament, the venue was temporarily renamed the New York-New Jersey Stadium.
The stadium can hold over 82,500 people for football matches. It also hosted the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final and all the semifinals.
What time does the World Cup closing ceremony start?
The World Cup closing ceremony will begin at 1:30pm local time (17:30 GMT) in New Jersey on Sunday, July 19.
Jennifer Hudson will also perform the national anthem in the United States before the start.
The event will celebrate the 48 teams that competed in the three host countries and the 16 cities that hosted the tournament.
When does the halftime show start?
Unlike the closing ceremony, which takes place before kickoff, the halftime show will be scheduled between the first and second halves. With a 3pm local time (19:00 GMT) start, it is expected to start as soon as 3:45pm local time (19:45 GMT), depending on the stoppage time.
Halftime matches are expected to last around 11 minutes, although FIFA has not confirmed the length of the match. Reports suggest that the break could last from 15 minutes to between 20 and 25 minutes to allow time for the stage to be set up and taken down.
Under the Laws of the Game established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), half time must not exceed 15 minutes. However, the rules of the competition may allow longer time with the permission of the referee, and FIFA has not explained how this longer time will be used.
Although it will be the first half-time show in a World Cup final, FIFA tested the idea at last year’s Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium. The show took place on the stage above the stairs and lasted only 24 minutes.
Unlike the Club World Cup final, Sunday’s stage will be built directly on the pitch before being removed before the second round. The designers say they are designed to be assembled and disassembled within minutes.
Long halftime breaks are not uncommon in major sporting events. Shakira’s final performance at Copa America 2024 delayed the restart by 26 minutes.
Who is playing in the closing ceremony of the World Cup?
On Wednesday, soccer’s governing body announced that American rapper Post Malone will host the ceremony.
The World Cup closing ceremony will also feature performances by Italian singer Laura Pausini, American singer Nicole Scherzinger, British actor Robbie Williams and YouTube producer IShowSpeed. Actor Tom Cruise is also set to make a special appearance.
Created by Balich Wonder Studio, the event was created to celebrate the tournament’s rise to prominence and international soccer interest following a month of competition in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
FIFA said additional players and special guests will be announced closer to the final.
“Following the spirit of the opening ceremony, which welcomed the whole world in the biggest event in Canada, Mexico and the US, the closing ceremony will bring the FIFA World Cup 2026 around music, culture and football, before we start the much-anticipated matches that will dress the champions of this fierce competition,” said Heimo Schirgi, chief of operations.
Who is playing at the half-time show?
Justin Bieber will join Madonna, Shakira and BTS as headliners for Sunday’s show.
They will be joined by Nigerian singer Burna Boy, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel and New York’s PS22 Chorus, with a performance conducted by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.
The show will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100m to increase access to education for children.
“The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way that nothing else can,” Bieber said in a statement. “I’m excited to be a part of this halftime show, and I’m so grateful to know that it’s already helped expand access to education for children around the world.”
Burna Boy, who collaborated with Shakira on the competition’s official song, Dai Dai, said being in the final was a “privilege and a responsibility” and an opportunity to represent Africa on the world stage.
How can I watch the World Cup finals and shows?
In the US, the game will be shown in English on FOX and in Spanish on Telemundo and Universo, with streaming available via FOX Sports, FOX One and Peacock.
In Canada, viewers can watch on CTV and TSN, while viewers in Mexico can tune in via TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca and ViX.
Across the Middle East and North Africa region, the match will be broadcast on beIN Sports.
