World Cup 2026 final: Closing ceremony and half-time show – what to know

Spain will face Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The match is scheduled to kick off at 3pm local time, equivalent to 19:00 GMT. The venue, temporarily renamed New York-New Jersey Stadium during the tournament, has a capacity of 82,500 spectators for football matches and previously hosted the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final and both semifinals.

The closing ceremony will commence at 1:30pm local time on the same day, celebrating the 48 teams that competed across three host countries and 16 host cities throughout the tournament. Jennifer Hudson will perform the United States national anthem before kickoff. The ceremony will feature performances by Post Malone, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and additional artists.

A half-time show will take place during the interval between the two halves, expected to begin around 3:45pm local time depending on stoppage time. The performance is anticipated to last approximately 11 minutes. Unlike standard matches where half-time lasts 15 minutes, the break may be extended to between 20 and 25 minutes to allow time for stage assembly and removal. The stage will be constructed directly on the pitch and dismantled before the second half begins.

This marks the first half-time show in a World Cup final. FIFA previously tested the concept at the 2025 Club World Cup final at the same venue, where the interval extended just over 24 minutes. Extended half-time breaks are not uncommon in major sporting events; the 2024 Copa America final saw a delay of approximately 26 minutes for a performance.