The 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina is fast approaching, and MetLife Stadium is gearing up for a historic event—not only in terms of soccer but also in terms of production— as the tournament is featuring a halftime show in a World Cup final for the first time.

The tournament will come to a close with a spectacular closing ceremony (already underway), which will precede kickoff. The pre-game program will feature big names from the international music scene: Jennifer Hudson will perform the U.S. national anthem, while Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, and Nicole Scherzinger will take the stage. The show will be rounded out by a special appearance from Tom Cruise, in a performance expected to “light up” MetLife Stadium before the teams take the field.

FIFA announced that the halftime show will last 17 minutes, despite rumors of an extension similar to the Super Bowl. This time will include setting up the stage, Shakira’s performance—along with the Triplets Ghetto Kids and other guest stars such as BTS, Madonna, or Justin Bieber—and the immediate removal of the equipment so that the match can continue without delay.

This is a mini Super Bowl-style show, an innovative concept for the World Cup that presents unprecedented challenges in terms of organization and logistics. The closing ceremony, the kickoff, and the halftime show together form a triple event that aims to go down in the tournament’s history.

*photo source: AP