The closing ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026 featured a vibrant display of color and a lineup of international music stars, including IShowSpeed, Post Malone, and Swae Lee.
IShowSpeed opened the event, setting a lively tone before a diverse array of performers took the stage. The ceremony, held at the New York New Jersey Stadium ahead of the final match between Spain and Argentina, also included appearances by Grammy-winning artist Post Malone and rapper Swae Lee.
Italian singer Laura Pausini expressed her excitement about performing alongside other artists. "When Robbie [Williams] invited me to sing with him, I felt goosebumps everywhere because Robbie's one of my favorite singer, songwriter, and performer," Pausini told the BBC. She was slated to perform with Williams and Nicole Scherzinger.
The halftime show promised further entertainment with performances by global music icons Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and the K-pop group BTS.
Madonna's performance followed the release of her album "Confessions II," which topped the Billboard 200 chart. Justin Bieber, who had previously canceled dates on his Justice World Tour due to health issues, made a notable live appearance at the Coachella music festival earlier in the year.
The event celebrated the conclusion of the tournament, bringing together athletes and fans for a final showcase of music and culture.