World Cup closing ceremony details: What to know about Tom Cruise, Jennifer Hudson and more

The grandest World Cup ever deserves an appropriate send-off.

Over a month after the summer's premiere sports event began, with 48 countries competing in soccer's biggest tournament, Sunday will mark the final matchup of the 2026 World Cup, with a trophy winner to be crowned.

WATCH: Stream 2026 World Cup closing ceremony, final with fubo

Prior to the highly-anticipated final match, however, FIFA will have a star-studded losing ceremony, celebrating the success of a worldwide sensation over the summer of 2026.

Here's what to know about the 2026 World Cup closing ceremony, including its performers.

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World Cup closing ceremony details

While there were three separate World Cup opening ceremonies in 2026, celebrating each of the three host nations, there will be just one closing ceremony for the global soccer tournament — and it will take place ahead of the final matchup.

On Sunday, July 19, FIFA will hold a closing ceremony before the final, aiming to "celebrate the 48 teams’ unforgettable journey across the three host countries and 16 host cities throughout the tournament."

The show will include performances and special appearances from celebrities and artists, setting the stage for one last big-time game. Tom Cruise, Jennifer Hudson and IShowSpeed are among the confirmed performers.

“Echoing the spirit of the opening ceremonies, which welcomed the world to the greatest stage in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the closing ceremony will bring the FIFA World Cup 2026 full circle through music, culture and football, before we kick off the highly anticipated match that will crown the champions of this groundbreaking tournament,” Heimo Schirgi, the 2026 World Cup's chief operating officer, said in a statement.

FIFA also said that fans at MetLife Stadium "will have an active role to play in the show."

Here are more details on the closing ceremony performers.

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World Cup closing ceremony performers

• Jennifer Hudson
• Laura Pausini
• Nicole Scherzinger
• Robbie Williams
• IShowSpeed
• Tom Cruise
• Post Malone

There are plenty of big names who are set to take the spotlight in some fashion for the 2026 World Cup closing ceremony — though the details of what those stars will be performing is limited.

In FIFA's release, it only specified that Jennifer Hudson will be performing the United States national anthem in the closing ceremony. Earlier in the week, Hudson took center-stage for another premiere sports event of the summer, signing "America the Beautiful" before the 2026 MLB All-Star Game.

Outside of Hudson, there are plenty of other performers for the closing ceremony.

Italian singer Laura Pausini, American Grammy-nominated singer Nicole Scherzinger, 18-time Brit Award English singer Robbie Williams, and 18-time Grammy nominee singer/rapper Post Malone will all be performing. Additionally, two non-singers will have unspecified roles to play: famous streamer and influencer IShowSpeed, and 64-year-old actor Tom Cruise.

What time is the World Cup closing ceremony?

The 2026 World Cup closing ceremony is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 19. It is being held at MetLife Stadium prior to the World Cup final, which will begin at 3 p.m. ET.

Here's how that closing ceremony time translates across different time zones in the United States:

How to watch World Cup closing ceremony

• TV channel: Fox
• Live stream: fubo, Fox One, Fox Sports app/website

Coverage of the 2026 World Cup closing ceremony is expected to air nationally in the United States on Fox, which will be broadcasting the final tournament matchup shortly afterward.

Those looking to stream the closing ceremony can turn toward fubo, which offers Fox in its channel lineup.