Madonna, Cruise lead A-list stars at World Cup final

The World Cup final is set to be a spectacle of both sport and entertainment, with an unprecedented list of global stars scheduled to appear. MetLife Stadium will host the climactic match between Spain and Argentina, drawing an estimated 80,000 fans and billions of viewers worldwide.

Tom Cruise is slated for the pre-game closing ceremony, alongside British pop star Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls, and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, who will perform the US national anthem. Post Malone and streamer IShowSpeed are also expected to make appearances.

The main entertainment event will be the 11-minute halftime show, billed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino as the "biggest in the world." Headlining the performance are music icons Madonna and Shakira, who will share the stage with Justin Bieber and K-pop sensation BTS. Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel and a New York chorus, accompanied by Coldplay, will also feature in the show curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin.

This halftime show, a first in World Cup history, will also serve a charitable purpose. It aims to raise funds for an education initiative led by FIFA in partnership with the non-governmental organization Global Citizen. The extensive setup and teardown for the elaborate performance may extend the traditional halftime break, potentially impacting the match schedule.

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the biggest in the world.