Stars Align: IShowSpeed, Madonna, and BTS Light Up 2026 World Cup Closing Ceremony

The 2026 World Cup closing ceremony burst into life with a vibrant performance from popular streamer IShowSpeed, who took to the pitch accompanied by drummers and dancers dressed in colourful tracksuits. The opening set the tone for a lavish pre-match entertainment programme ahead of Sunday's final between Spain and Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

Rapper and singer Post Malone followed IShowSpeed, performing his hit track Wow for the crowd. More than 80,000 fans, celebrities and foreign dignitaries were expected to fill the venue for the highly anticipated showdown between two of international football's powerhouse nations.

A Star-Studded Pre-Match Line-Up

Multi-award-winning singer and actor Jennifer Hudson delivered the United States national anthem, supported by a live band, just before kick-off. The pre-match entertainment roster was also set to feature actor Tom Cruise alongside singers Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini and Nicole Scherzinger.

Italian singer Pausini, speaking to the BBC's Carl Nasman, described herself as "very excited" and "proud" to be performing alongside Williams and Scherzinger at the ceremony. She recalled the moment Williams invited her to join him on stage, saying she felt "goosebumps everywhere" and calling him one of her favourite singers, songwriters and performers.

Halftime Spectacle Curated by Chris Martin

The celebrity showcase was scheduled to continue at half-time with performances from Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and BTS. The halftime break was expected to last between 20 and 25 minutes, with FIFA confirming that the Super Bowl-style performance itself would run for 11 minutes.

The entire halftime show was curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin and designed to raise money for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative working to raise $100 million (£73 million) for children worldwide.

Madonna, the best-selling female music artist of all time, was set to perform following the launch of her new album Confessions II, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in July. Justin Bieber also made his return to the big stage, having delivered his largest live performance in four years at the Coachella music festival earlier in 2026 after cancelling his Justice world tour due to health concerns.

Reunions and Comebacks on the World Stage

Colombian pop star Shakira and Nigerian musician Burna Boy were slated to reunite on stage after previously performing together at the tournament's opening ceremony in Mexico City last month. Their collaborative track Dai Dai became a global chart hit and a fixture inside stadiums throughout the competition.

K-pop group BTS were also among the halftime performers, marking a major milestone in their comeback from a three-year musical hiatus during which members completed their mandatory military service in South Korea. The group is currently in the middle of an 85-date world tour, making the World Cup appearance another high-profile moment in their return to the global stage.

With a blend of football's biggest stars and some of the world's most recognisable entertainers, the 2026 World Cup closing ceremony delivered a fitting crescendo to a tournament that captivated audiences across the globe. If you enjoyed this coverage, share the article with fellow fans and join the conversation online.

Source: BBC Sport