Cruise, Madonna, Shakira, Dudamel to headline World Cup final entertainment

The final match of the World Cup between Spain and Argentina is set to be an extraordinary event, not just for the football but also for the star-studded entertainment planned. MetLife Stadium, located outside New York, will transform into "the biggest stage in the world" for the closing ceremony and a highly anticipated halftime show.

An impressive lineup of global celebrities is expected to attend. Reports indicate appearances by Tom Cruise, Madonna, Shakira, and Gustavo Dudamel, among others. The closing ceremony, scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM, may feature Tom Cruise, whose specific performance remains unknown following his rappel stunt at the Stade de France. Other performers include Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, and Nicole Scherzinger, who performed the official anthem "Desire." American streamer IShowSpeed and rapper Post Malone are also reportedly invited, with Oscar-winning singer and actress Jennifer Hudson set to perform the U.S. national anthem.

The main attraction is the 11-minute halftime concert, described by FIFA President Gianni Infantino as "the biggest stage of all time." This Super Bowl-style show will be directed by Coldplay's Chris Martin and will feature an international and intergenerational cast. Headlining the performance are American icon Madonna, Canadian pop star Justin Bieber, South Korean K-pop group BTS, and Colombian singer Shakira, who has a history with World Cup anthems. Her song "Dai Dai," a duet with Burna Boy, is expected to be featured.

Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel will also participate, leading a New York choir accompanied by Coldplay. The concert's objective is to raise funds for a FIFA-backed education program in partnership with the NGO Global Citizen, co-founded by Chris Martin. FIFA has assured that the halftime break will adhere to the regulation 15 minutes, with 11 minutes allocated for performances and the remainder for stage setup and field maintenance. This follows a precedent from the Club World Cup final held at the same stadium a year prior, which experienced a slightly longer break.