The 2026 World Cup final between Spain and defending champions Argentina kicked off on Sunday at New York New Jersey Stadium, drawing more than 80,000 fans, celebrities, and foreign dignitaries. The match, the 104th and final game of the tournament, began at 3 p.m. EST after a closing ceremony featuring performances by streamer IShowSpeed, rapper Post Malone, and singers Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, and Nicole Scherzinger. Actor Tom Cruise introduced the match, telling the crowd that football is a force that unites people, according to BBC News.

Star-Studded Opening and Halftime Show

The closing ceremony before the match featured a performance by streamer IShowSpeed, who took to the field alongside drummers and dancers in vibrant tracksuits. Rapper and singer Post Malone followed with a performance of his hit song Wow. Multi-award-winning singer and actor Jennifer Hudson performed the US national anthem, accompanied by a live band. The pre-match entertainment also included performances from singers Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, and Nicole Scherzinger. After the performances, actor Tom Cruise took to the stage to introduce the match, telling the crowd that football is a language spoken without words and a force that unites people, according to BBC News.

The celebrity line-up continued at halftime with performances by Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and BTS. Madonna, the best-selling female music artist of all time, performed after the launch of her new album Confessions II, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in July. Bieber returned to the spotlight after his biggest live performance in four years at the Coachella music festival earlier this year. Colombian pop star Shakira and Nigerian musician Burna Boy reunited on stage after performing together at the tournament's opening ceremony in Mexico City last month. Their collaboration Dai Dai has been a global chart hit and a fixture in stadiums throughout the tournament. K-Pop group BTS performed after making their comeback from a three-year music hiatus to complete their mandatory military service in South Korea. The band is currently in the midst of an 85-date world tour, according to BBC News.

Among the halftime headliners was Iraqi-born singer Emmanuel Kelly, who was found abandoned as a baby with severely underdeveloped limbs and brought up by nuns at Mother Teresa's orphanage in Baghdad. In 1998, Australian Catholic humanitarian worker Moira Kelly visited the orphanage and brought Emmanuel and another boy, Ahmed, to Australia for medical treatment. They arrived in 2000, underwent multiple surgeries to enable them to wear prosthetic limbs, and were adopted by Moira. Emmanuel became a contestant on the Australian version of The X Factor in 2011, where his rendition of John Lennon's Imagine captivated audiences. His performance at the World Cup final alongside global megastars marks a remarkable journey, according to Al Jazeera.

Fan Enthusiasm Across New York City

Bleary-eyed fans began gathering from the early hours of Sunday morning in Midtown Manhattan and across the wider city ahead of the final. Banging drums, linking arms, and breaking into spontaneous chants, fans expressed hope and nerves that their teams would give them a reason to party into the night. Spanish citizen Nicolas Oliver, 21, who lives in Quebec, said he was feeling good but hoped for a win, recalling Spain's 2010 victory when he was five years old. He said being with many Spanish people in New York felt like home. Seventeen-year-old Argentina fan Mohamed Zidan, originally from Hama, Syria, but living in Springfield, Massachusetts, made a whirlwind trip to New York for the match, his first time in the city. Paola Belmonta, 23, from southern Spain, was confident her favorite player, midfielder Pedro, would carry the team to victory. Fifty-year-old Alex Roma, originally from Argentina but living in Washington, DC, acknowledged Spain's strength but expressed hope that Argentina would fight to the last breath, according to Al Jazeera.

The World Cup in New York City also offered a chance for Mayor Zohran Mamdani to display progressive messaging on the world stage, according to Al Jazeera.

Political Figures and Divided Predictions

US President Donald Trump and First Lady attended the match, according to BBC News. Politicians in the United States were divided on their predictions for the final, with some of the most dedicated tournament followers in American politics sharing their forecasts, according to Politico.

The American right's relationship with soccer has been a topic of discussion, with the tournament sparking a summertime fling with the world's game among some MAGA supporters. From Christian Pulisic's dance moves to the Country Roads phenomenon and the White House's red-card politics, the event has highlighted the intersection of sports and politics, according to Politico.

Timeline

  • June 2026: World Cup 2026 begins with opening ceremony in Mexico City featuring Shakira and Burna Boy.
  • July 19, 2026: Spain and Argentina face off in the 104th and final game of the tournament at New York New Jersey Stadium.
  • Pre-match: Closing ceremony with IShowSpeed, Post Malone, Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, and Jennifer Hudson. Tom Cruise introduces the match.
  • Halftime: Performances by Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS, and Emmanuel Kelly.
  • Post-match: Victory ceremony and celebrations across New York City.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who performed at the World Cup final halftime show?

The halftime show featured Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS, and Iraqi-born singer Emmanuel Kelly, according to BBC News and Al Jazeera.

Where was the 2026 World Cup final held?

The final was held at New York New Jersey Stadium, with kick-off at 3 p.m. EST, according to The Guardian.

Which political figures attended the final?

US President Donald Trump and First Lady attended the match, according to BBC News. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also used the event to display progressive messaging, according to Al Jazeera.

How did fans celebrate in New York City?

Fans gathered in Midtown Manhattan and Times Square, with many traveling from abroad. They banged drums, chanted, and expressed hope for their teams, according to Al Jazeera.

What was the significance of Emmanuel Kelly's performance?

Emmanuel Kelly, an Iraqi-born singer who was abandoned as a baby and adopted by an Australian humanitarian, performed at the halftime show alongside global megastars, marking a remarkable personal journey, according to Al Jazeera.

What Happens Next

The World Cup final concludes the 2026 tournament, with Spain or Argentina claiming the trophy. The event has drawn global attention not only for the football but also for the political and cultural moments surrounding it. Fans in New York City and around the world will continue to celebrate the outcome, while the tournament's legacy in the United States may influence future engagement with the sport. The halftime show and closing ceremony have set a new standard for entertainment at major sporting events, blending global music stars with inspiring personal stories like that of Emmanuel Kelly.