Tom Cruise opened World Cup final blockbuster with an emotional monologue following a calamitous closing ceremony.
Defending champions Argentina bid to secure a second successive World Cup triumph in a showdown against Spain in front of 80,000 clamoring fans, including President Donald Trump, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday.
Even before the first kick of the game, the spectators inside the stadium, as well as the billions watching from home, were treated to an eye-catching spectacle.
A bevy of Hollywood’s finest had been billed as performers with Cruise headlining the event, designed to pay tribute to all of the competing 48 nations from the tournament.
However, fans anxious to see the Hollywood icon, 64, were made to wait for almost 90 minutes as they had to endure a bizarre performance from YouTuber IShowSpeed in the buildup to kickoff.
Cruise finally made his long-awaited appearance less than 10 minutes before the teams walked out onto the pitch. FIFA saved the actor as the grand finale to the ceremony with Cruise reflecting on the tournament, which has been the biggest in World Cup history.
Tom Cruise opened World Cup final blockbuster with an emotional monologue
The Hollywood side headlined the closing ceremony ahead of the final at MetLife Stadium
Fans were left baffled by the address with one viewer writing on X: ‘I’m disappointed Tom Cruise did not helicopter in for his Ted talk. FIFA missed an opportunity to collaborate with a chopper company.’
The Mission Impossible star has been spotted in the stands throughout the tournament and performed a stunt at the Paris Olympics’ closing ceremony
Cruise had been billed as the main attraction, but fans were left confused to first see IShowSpeed dominating their screens rather than the legendary actor when the closing ceremony got underway.
The content creator – who has over 58 million subscribers on YouTube and streamed multiple matches throughout the tournament – stunned fans by launching into song.
He had been listed as a performer but he surprised viewers when he began performing original song, Champions, which was on the official 2026 World Cup album.
The streamer began lying down to croon up into an overhead broadcast camera, before rising to his feet and showing off his moves amid a colorful array of backup dancers in neon tracksuits.
Post Malone replaced IShowSpeed in the spotlight. More accustomed to performing, he opened with his new track ‘Chrome Heartbreaker,’ before leading into his 2018 song ‘Wow’ for his three-song performance.
He then brought out rapper Swae Lee to perform their grammy-nominated hit Sunflower.
Post, 31, rocked a classic Canadian tuxedo, accessorizing with his signature cowboy hat and sunglasses.
Popular streamer IShowSpeed kickstarted the World Cup final closing ceremony
The streamer surprised viewers when he began performing an original song, Champions
Tom Cruise had been expected to headline the ceremony before the World Cup final
The American singer and rapper pulled aside his denim jacket to unveil a t-shirt that read: ‘I just hope both teams have fun.’ The shirt’s message was a nod to Elmo’s now-viral tweet ahead of the NBA Finals that left New Yorkers furious.
However, fans were left underwhelmed at the bizarre display with many bemoaning the lack of creativity and star-power.
‘Such an underwhelming closing ceremony. Zero creativity just artists singing,’ one wrote on X.
‘The lip syncing for these closing ceremony performances is horrific,’ another shared.
‘ishowspeed was so random,’ said a third, while another baffled viewer branded it ‘unreal scenes.’
‘Imagine telling someone a few years ago that ishowspeed is gonna perform at the world cup,’ added a fifth.
Another went on: ‘Worst closing ceremony.. obviously low budget.’
‘The World Cup closing show was terrible – lousy production, just like the opening ceremony,’ said one X user.
The content creator performed at MetLife Stadium amid a neon swarm of dancers
IShowSpeed, who boasts over 58 million subscribers on YouTube, dressed in an all-white suit
Post Malone (right) performed his 2018 hit Sunflower with Swae Lee (left)
The closing ceremony took place 90 minutes before kickoff between Spain and Argentina
Meanwhile, others questioned why a content creator was given the honor of performing on the world’s biggest stage.
‘Why should speed be at the world cup final singing in the first place???. At least his idol doesn’t make final,’ one fan argued.
‘I don’t know what’s going on or who this is or why we thought we should have this represent us to the rest of the world,’ another added.
‘I legitimately have never heard of this person,’ said a third.
Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson was granted the honor of performing the US national anthem. The singer, dressed in an elegant Thom Browne skirt suit, wowed fans with her powerful rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner.
Ahead of Cruise’s speech, British singer Robbie Williams was joined by Tony winner and Pussycat Dolls alum Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini, the Italian singer who helped open the Milan Cortina Olympics.
The trio performed the first ever official FIFA anthem, Desire, in coordinated outfits for the occasion.
‘Echoing the spirit of the opening ceremonies, which welcomed the world to the greatest stage in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the closing ceremony will bring the FIFA World Cup 2026 full circle through music, culture and football, before we kick off the highly anticipated match that will crown the champions of this groundbreaking tournament,’ Heimo Schirgi, the World Cup’s chief operating officer, had said before the tournament.
Post, 31, rocked a classic Canadian tuxedo, accessorizing with his signature cowboy hat
Fans were left underwhelmed at the bizarre display, slamming the ‘random’ performances
Mission Impossible star Cruise is pictured arriving at MetLife Stadium on Sunday morning
This year’s showstopper is bigger and better than ever with the star-studded event also boasting the first-ever World Cup halftime show, featuring the likes of Madonna, Shakira and Justin Bieber.
The ceremony took place following a morning of chaos in New York and New Jersey as thousands of fans descended on the Big Apple region for the final.
Those lucky enough to have clinched a ticket – or forked out $10,000 for one – were urged to arrive up to four hours before the start of the game at the 80,000-seater stadium, a short drive outside of Manhattan.
FIFA encouraged fans to arrive early in order to participate in the World Cup closing ceremony, scheduled to begin around 90 minutes before the game itself kicks off.
But it has become standard procedure for fans to arrive even earlier for additional security checks whenever Trump attends a sporting event – lest they risk missing kickoff.
Trump has made it to plenty in his second term as President, ranging from the Ryder Cup to the Super Bowl, and his attendance often means lengthy delays for fans with airport-style security measures enforced for everyone making their way inside of the venue.
Delays on Sunday, however, were compounded amid reports of glitches in FIFA’s ticket-scanning system, meaning those who were fortunate enough to be at the front of the long lines still faced frustrating delays.
Daily Mail also witnessed tensions simmering between fans, media members and security staff, with officials on the ground telling anyone who complained: ‘Take it up with FIFA’.
Argentina fans arrive at MetLife Stadium before Sunday’s hugely anticipated final vs Spain
Thousands of fans and media members faced massive lines to enter the stadium for the World Cup final on Sunday amid several reports of security struggling to manage the situation
But those members of security staff also appeared to be confused over how to manage the thousands of people arriving for the game.
There were multiple instances of organizers on the ground misdirecting people over where they should begin lining up to enter the stadium with over three hours to go until the start of the game.
Media members also faced extra checks from the secret service given the need to bring laptops and filming equipment inside of the stadium. DHS police and state police were also seen at the venue.
This all played out as other fans decided to leave it late to get to the stadium. With four hours to go until the game began, many supporters were still at Penn Station in Manhattan waiting to board a train into New Jersey and towards the stadium.
The game is set to be the most expensive to attend in the history of sport – on Sunday morning, the cheapest ticket available on most resale websites was starting at around $7,000.
There weren’t quite as many issues for the VIP guests, though. Cruise was pictured sauntering into the venue – renamed as ‘New York/New Jersey Stadium’ for the tournament – ahead of his anticipated appearance in the closing ceremony.
Soccer greats such as Brazil World Cup winner Ronaldo, former England captain John Terry and former Argentina player Diego Simeone all appeared carefree as they entered the stadium in good time before the game.
Lionel Messi and Co are hoping to seal back-to-back titles after winning the tournament in Qatar four years ago, while Spain have not won the World Cup since 2010.
At the end of the match, a new stage will be erected on the pitch to see either Messi or Rodri lift the World Cup for their country.
It is expected that Trump will be granted the honor of handing the trophy over to the victorious team.
The President carried out the same duties during the Club World Cup final, which also took place at MetLife Stadium.
He left the winning Chelsea stars, including Cole Palmer and Reece James, stunned when he remained on the stage throughout their celebrations.
