Indonesian Woman Serves as Senior Stage Manager for World Cup 2026 Final Ceremony

Indonesian national Wellah Hatta played a key role as a senior stage manager for the closing ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026, held at the MetLife Stadium in New York-New Jersey. Working with Balich Wonder Studio, Hatta was responsible for ensuring the seamless execution of the event's intricate details, from inter-team coordination to stage flow and managing celebrity appearances.

A particularly memorable moment for Hatta was her interaction with Hollywood actor Tom Cruise, who delivered a speech during the ceremony and also attended the final match between Argentina and Spain. Hatta shared on Instagram that Cruise was exceptionally friendly, even offering to take a photo with her when she realized she had left her phone behind. He ensured the photo was sent to her, an interaction that was also highlighted on FIFA's official social media.

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But indeed the highlight of this closing ceremony was Tom Cruise, who was so incredibly kind. During rehearsal, I left my phone in the office. Then, out of nowhere, he offered to take a photo together. When I said I didn't have my phone, he asked someone on the field to take the picture. Then he made sure the photo was sent to me.

Hatta's involvement in the World Cup ceremony is backed by over 15 years of professional stage management experience. Her extensive resume includes managing major events such as the Opening Ceremony in Los Angeles, the United States 250th Independence Day Ceremony, and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. She has also contributed to other significant international sporting events like the Asian Games, Asian Para Games, and SEA Games, as well as global projects including Dubai Expo 2020 and Saudi Games.

During the closing ceremony, Tom Cruise spoke about the tournament's ability to unite people across diverse cultures and borders. He emphasized football's universal language and its power to foster connections, transforming strangers into friends and highlighting shared humanity. The World Cup, he noted, showcased moments of greatness, joy, and unforgettable memories.

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We have witnessed greatness, shared moments of joy, moments of hope, and moments we will never forget. Football is a language spoken without words, a force that unites people, that turns strangers into friends and reminds us of the commonality we share.