The World Cup final at the New York/New Jersey stadium had a star-studded closing ceremony. Madonna opened the show with her hit Music (2000), accompanied by former Brazilian soccer players Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. He opened with a pre-recorded segment at a skating rink and then entered the stadium in a dune buggy, singing: “Music brings people together.”
Participants of the show
Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel led an orchestra performing Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes, while the Muppets moved to the rhythm. BTS took to the field dressed in red and black to sing Dynamite. To promote the series Ted Lasso, Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt cheered on Justin Bieber, who performed Everything Hallelujah. Shakira and Burna Boy sang their anthem Dai Dai, which played before each kickoff in the tournament. The closing was with a choir of Staten Island elementary students.
Performances prior to the final
At the previous ceremony, Robbie Williams performed Desire in a blue sports ensemble with rhinestones, accompanied by Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini. Streamer IShowSpeed opened with Champions over an image of the Empire State Building. Post Malone premiered Chrome Heartbreaker and then sang Sunflower with Swae Lee on a hexagonal stage in the center of the field. Tom Cruise, in a polo and jeans, gave a speech:
“Today there are only two teams left: Spain! … and Argentina! Let’s celebrate a tournament that united the world.”
National anthems live
Jennifer Hudson performed a cappella The Star-Spangled Banner in front of a row of flags, wearing a white suit trimmed in red, white and blue. Spanish Brass performed the Spanish royal march and María Becerra, wearing a dress that evoked the Argentine flag, sang the Argentine national anthem.
