‘Mission: Impossible’ Star Tom Cruise’s World Cup Closing Ceremony Cameo Has Everyone Bracing For Another Stunt
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has turned into as much of a Hollywood spectacle as a soccer tournament this summer, with celebrities popping up at matches across all three host countries since the opening ceremony in Mexico City. That star power has only intensified as the competition barrels toward its final weekend, with organizers steadily teasing bigger and bigger names for the closing show.
With the semifinals now underway, France facing Spain and England set to meet Argentina, only four teams remain standing before the championship match crowns a winner. As anticipation builds, FIFA has been rolling out details about what fans can expect once the trophy is finally on the line.
Now FIFA has confirmed its full closing ceremony lineup, and ‘Top Gun’ star Tom Cruise is among the headline attractions making a special appearance as part of the pre match festivities. FIFA made the announcement official on Tuesday, confirming Cruise for the closing ceremony taking place Sunday. The organization has kept the specifics of what his appearance will actually involve deliberately under wraps.
Joining Cruise on stage will be Italian singer songwriter Laura Pausini, along with Nicole Scherzinger and Robbie Williams. Streamer IShowSpeed rounds out the performer list, while Jennifer Hudson is set to sing the U.S. national anthem before kickoff. The ceremony will begin 90 minutes before kickoff at 1.30 p.m. ET at New York New Jersey Stadium, better known outside the tournament as MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi framed the moment as a full circle celebration for the tournament, saying the ceremony would bring the event “full circle through music, culture and football” and echo the spirit of the opening celebrations across Canada, Mexico and the United States, according to a statement he gave to NBC Bay Area.
None of this is exactly new territory for Cruise. The actor previously pulled off a stunt at the 2024 Olympic Closing Ceremony in Paris and assisted with the handoff to the 2028 Los Angeles Games. That Paris moment saw him descend from the roof of Stade de France to accept the Olympic flag on behalf of Los Angeles. Cruise is also set to star in Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s upcoming film ‘Digger’ later this year.
He has already been a visible presence throughout this year’s tournament outside of any official capacity, spotted at multiple matches alongside other celebrities including David Beckham and Katy Perry. That sustained presence makes the closing ceremony booking feel less like a one off and more like the natural culmination of a summer he has spent hovering around the sport. Given his track record of turning ceremonial cameos into full blown spectacles, the only real mystery left is how far he plans to take it this time.
With rappelling stunts already on his resume, what do you think Cruise has planned for his MetLife Stadium moment?
