2026 FIFA World Cup Closing Ceremony Lineup Confirmed: Chris Martin Curates Halftime Show with Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and BTS
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is set for Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Spain facing Argentina. For the first time in World Cup history, the final will include a halftime show, curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in a format modeled on the Super Bowl halftime show. The confirmed lineup includes Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and BTS. The closing ceremony will also feature Post Malone, Tom Cruise and Jennifer Hudson, with a projected global TV audience of around 2 billion.
Halftime show and closing ceremony details
The halftime show is being staged in partnership with the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million (roughly £74.5 million) to expand children's access to education and football training worldwide.
The closing ceremony will take place before kickoff of the final, with UK viewers able to watch live on BBC One.
On the official anthem front, Robbie Williams will release a new version of "Desire" ahead of the closing ceremony, featuring a three-way collaboration with Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini, with all three set to perform the song together for the first time at the closing ceremony. "Desire," originally a duet between Williams and Pausini, was the first official FIFA anthem and premiered in July 2025 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Halftime show controversy: Robert Smith speaks out
The addition of a halftime show to the World Cup final has divided fans. The Cure frontman Robert Smith voiced his opposition on Instagram with the hashtag "#pleasejustfuckoff," and separately criticized the plan for Donald Trump to personally present the trophy.
This World Cup's opening ceremony featured performances by Shakira and Burna Boy, with other performers including Future, Katy Perry, Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette and Ellie Goulding. According to NME, Ellie Goulding performed during England's semifinal match against Norway, which England won 2-1 to advance.