The 2026 FIFA World Cup has broken ratings records in the United States and around the world, due to its unique combination of star power (Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar performing in perhaps their final World Cup matches, along with younger stars Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Lamine Yamal), a North American stage and
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has broken ratings records in the United States and around the world, due to its unique combination of star power (Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar performing in perhaps their final World Cup matches, along with younger stars Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Lamine Yamal), a North American stage and a group of certified studs. And speaking of star power, Tom Cruise, one of Hollywood’s latest movie stars, has an Oscar contender coming out in the fall, “Digger,” that he’s been promoting a lot. So naturally, the two would merge their audiences, first with “Digger” airing a series of special television spots during World Cup matches, and then Cruise making a guest appearance during Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and defending champions Argentina at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium (temporarily renamed New York and New Jersey Stadium just for the World Cup).
After meeting Elmo and Cookie Monster from “Sesame Street” before the game, the “Mission: Impossible” and “Top Gun” star gave an inspiring opening speech at the World Cup final, where he proclaimed: “So, as we come together for one final chapter, let’s celebrate a tournament that brought the world together. Let’s celebrate each other. This is football. This is unity. This is greatness.” Other celebrities attended the final, including President Donald Trump (who was booed) and First Lady Melania, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, “The Odyssey” star Matt Damon and his wife Luciana, Timothée Chalamet and his girlfriend Kylie Jenner, David and Victoria Beckham, Serena Williams, Mick Jagger, Dua Lipa, the Muppets, Will Ferrell, Tom Brady, Kevin Hart, Martha Stewart, Victor Wembanyama, Post Malone, Pharrell Williams (a who the announcers misidentified as A$AP Rocky), Julia Garner, Trevor Noah, Anya Taylor-Joy (who sports an Argentinian scarf, since she is half Argentinian), two-time Oscar winner Adrien Brody and more.
And then came the halftime show.
Curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, the first official World Cup halftime show was co-headlined by BTS, Justin Bieber, Madonna and Shakira, highlighting the competition’s largely American context and its international reach. With the game scoreless at the halfway point, the crowd in attendance and watching on television needed an adrenaline rush, and the mix of musical acts was more than eager to provide it.
Oh, and there was Jason Sudeikis, who appeared as his Ted Lasso character to introduce Justin Bieber, urging him to “make us proud” while posing in front of a “BELIEBE” sign.
To say the event was star-studded would be an understatement. The 2026 FIFA World Cup final was the hottest ticket since Game 4 of the NBA Finals, drawing celebrities from around the world to… New Jersey.
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