World Cup ۲۰۲۶ final: Closing ceremony and half-time show – what to know

The ۲۰۲۶ World Cup final will feature two live performances: one before kickoff and another at half-time.

The match will be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, July ۱۹, with some of the world’s biggest musicians taking the stage as part of the celebrations.

Here is what to know:

When is the World Cup ۲۰۲۶ final?

The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina will take place on Sunday, July ۱۹.

Kickoff is scheduled for ۳pm local time in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which is ۱۹:۰۰ GMT.

The match will be played at MetLife Stadium, home of the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets. During the tournament, the venue has been temporarily renamed New York-New Jersey Stadium.

The multipurpose stadium can hold up to ۸۲,۵۰۰ spectators for football matches. It also hosted the ۲۰۲۵ FIFA Club World Cup final and both semifinals.

What time does the World Cup closing ceremony start?

The World Cup closing ceremony will begin at ۱:۳۰pm local time (۱۷:۳۰ GMT) in New Jersey on Sunday, July ۱۹.

Jennifer Hudson will also perform the United States national anthem before kickoff.

The ceremony will celebrate the ۴۸ teams that competed across the three host countries and ۱۶ host cities during the tournament.

When does the half-time show start?

Unlike the closing ceremony, which takes place before kickoff, the half-time show will be staged during the interval between the first and second halves. With kickoff at ۳pm local time (۱۹:۰۰ GMT), it is expected to begin just after ۳:۴۵pm local time (۱۹:۴۵ GMT), depending on stoppage time.

The half-time performance is expected to last about ۱۱ minutes, although FIFA has not officially confirmed the length of the interval. Reports suggest the break could be extended beyond the standard ۱۵ minutes to between ۲۰ and ۲۵ minutes to allow time for the stage to be installed and removed.

Under the Laws of the Game set by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), half-time should not exceed ۱۵ minutes. However, competition rules can allow a longer interval with the referee’s approval, and FIFA has not explained how the extended break will be implemented.

Although this will be the first half-time show in a World Cup final, FIFA tested the concept at last year’s Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium. That performance took place on a stage above the stands and the interval lasted just over ۲۴ minutes.

Unlike the Club World Cup final, Sunday’s stage will be built directly on the pitch before being removed ahead of the second half. Organisers say it has been designed to be assembled and dismantled within minutes.

Longer half-time breaks are not unusual in major sporting events. Shakira’s performance at the ۲۰۲۴ Copa America final delayed the restart by about ۲۶ minutes.

Who is performing at the World Cup closing ceremony?

On Wednesday, football’s governing body said American rapper-singer Post Malone will headline the ceremony.

The World Cup closing ceremony will also feature performances by Italian singer Laura Pausini, American singer Nicole Scherzinger, British pop star Robbie Williams and YouTube creator IShowSpeed. Actor Tom Cruise is also set to make a special appearance.

Produced by Balich Wonder Studio, the ceremony is designed to celebrate the tournament’s defining moments and the global appeal of football after a month of competition across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

FIFA has said additional performers and special guests will be announced closer to the final.

“Echoing the spirit of the opening ceremonies, which welcomed the world to the greatest stage in Canada, Mexico and the US, the closing ceremony will bring the FIFA World Cup ۲۰۲۶ full circle through music, culture and football, before we kick off the highly anticipated match that will crown the champions of this groundbreaking tournament,” said Heimo Schirgi, chief operating officer.

Who is performing at the half-time show?

Justin Bieber will join Madonna, Shakira and BTS as headliners of Sunday’s halftime show.

They will be joined by Nigerian singer Burna Boy, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel and New York’s PS۲۲ Chorus, with the performance curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

The show will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $۱۰۰m to expand access to education for children.

“The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can,” Bieber said in a statement. “I’m grateful to be part of this half-time show, and even more grateful knowing it’s already helping expand access to education for children around the world.”

Burna Boy, who collaborated with Shakira on the tournament’s official song, Dai Dai, said performing at the final was “a privilege and a responsibility” and an opportunity to represent Africa on the global stage.

How can I watch the World Cup final and shows?

In the US, the match will air in English on FOX and in Spanish on Telemundo and Universo, with streaming available through the FOX Sports app, FOX One and Peacock.

In Canada, viewers can watch on CTV and TSN, while audiences in Mexico can tune in through TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca and ViX.

Across the Middle East and North Africa, the match will be broadcast live on beIN Sports.