The FIFA World Cup final closing ceremony at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey featured an unexpected performance by popular YouTuber IShowSpeed, leaving many fans baffled. The streamer, known for his extensive following on YouTube, performed an original song titled "Champions," which is part of the official 2026 World Cup album. He appeared amidst a vibrant display of backup dancers in neon tracksuits.
Despite being listed as a performer, IShowSpeed's prominent role surprised viewers who had anticipated appearances from major Hollywood figures. Tom Cruise, who was widely expected to be a headline performer, was instead seen in the stands. Other billed performers included Tony winner Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and Italian singer Laura Pausini. Jennifer Hudson was slated to perform the U.S. national anthem.
IShowSpeed's performance drew a wave of critical comments on social media, with many users expressing disappointment with the ceremony's perceived lack of creativity and questioning the decision to feature a content creator on a global stage. "Such an underwhelming closing ceremony. Zero creativity just artists singing," one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Another commented, "The lip syncing for these closing ceremony performances is horrific." Viewers also noted the randomness of the choice, with one saying, "ishowspeed was so random," and another calling the scene "unreal scenes."
The ceremony took place approximately 90 minutes before the match between defending champions Argentina and Spain. Heimo Schirgi, the World Cup's chief operating officer, had previously stated that the closing ceremony would "bring the FIFA World Cup 2026 full circle through music, culture and football." The event was also expected to precede the tournament's first-ever halftime show, with Madonna, Shakira, and Justin Bieber reportedly set to perform.
The event occurred amid significant logistical challenges for attendees. Thousands of fans and media members encountered extensive lines and delays entering the stadium. Reports indicated issues with FIFA's ticket-scanning system and confusion among security personnel regarding crowd management. Former President Donald Trump was in attendance, and his presence typically adds to security measures and potential delays for fans. Despite these issues, VIP guests like Tom Cruise and soccer legends such as Ronaldo and John Terry were observed entering the venue without apparent difficulty.
The World Cup final match was set to be one of the most expensive sporting events to attend, with resale tickets starting at around $7,000. Donald Trump is expected to have a role in presenting the trophy to the winning team, a duty he also performed during the Club World Cup final at the same venue.