Tom Cruise stands on the roof of the Stade de France during the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 11, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Fabrizio Bensch- Pool/Getty Images Tom Cruise is heading to Metlife, er, New York New Jersey Stadium.
The actor has been booked for a “special appearance” at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final July 19, part of another wave of entertainment for the global mega-event. Jennifer Hudson will also perform the U.S. national anthem.
Cruise, of course, is set to star in the Alejandro G. Iñárritu film Digger later this year.
The World Cup final, which will see either England or Argentina face off against either France or Spain, has already lined up a megawatt halftime show that includes Justin Bieber, BTS, Shakira and Madonna.
FIFA also said that the closing ceremony, which will take place before the game, will include performances from Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and YouTube star IShowSpeed.
FIFA adds that “fans at the stadium will have an active role to play in the show,” and is encouraging them to arrive at the stadium early.
The event is operating at a scale on par with the Super Bowl or Olympics, with multiple performances and celebrity cameos. Cruise, of course, also made a special appearance at the closing ceremonies of the 2024 Paris Olympics, rappelling from the roof of the stadium to present an Olympic flag to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass as part of the Olympics handoff ceremony.
“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,” said Heimo Schirgi, COO of FIFA World Cup 2026.
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