Beyonce, Matt Damon, David Beckham, Jay-Z add glamour to FIFA World Cup 2026 final
New Jersey, July 20
Hollywood stars Tom Cruise, Matt Damon, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Timothee Chalamet, Kylie Jenner and several other celebrities attended the FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Spain and Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium, turning football's biggest night into a star-studded affair, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The final, which saw Spain defeat defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time to lift their second FIFA World Cup title, drew celebrities from the worlds of film, music, sports and fashion.
Among those in attendance were Tom Cruise, Matt Damon and his wife Luciana, Jay-Z and Beyonce, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, David and Victoria Beckham, Timothee Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart, Austin Butler, Serena Williams, Pharrell Williams, Javier Bardem, Jon Hamm, Adrien Brody, Trevor Noah, Richard Gere, Jason Sudeikis, Julia Garner, Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union, Rob Gronkowski, Gayle King, Anya Taylor-Joy, Anna Wintour and YouTube creator MrBeast, among others, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump also attended the final, sharing a VIP suite with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Spanish Football Federation president Rafael Louzan.
Ahead of the final, Cruise delivered an emotional address celebrating football's global appeal and the tournament's ability to unite people across borders.
"More than 30 days ago, 48 nations began a journey. They crossed oceans, they crossed borders, they crossed cultures, and together they showed us why this game belongs to the world," Cruise said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
"Football is a language spoken without words, a force that unites people, that turns strangers into friends and reminds us of what we all have in common," he added.
Concluding his speech, the actor said, "As we gather for one final chapter, let us celebrate a tournament that brought the world together. Let us celebrate each other. This is football. This is unity. This is greatness," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The pre-match ceremony also featured performances by Post Malone and Swae Lee, Jennifer Hudson, and Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini and Nicole Scherzinger, who performed the FIFA World Cup anthem 'Desire', according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The tournament's first-ever FIFA World Cup halftime show followed, featuring performances by Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira and Burna Boy, along with the PS22 Chorus, Coldplay, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the New York Philharmonic and the Muppets.
Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final at MetLife Stadium.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The halftime show with Madonna, BTS and Coldplay together? That's like a Diwali mela of global music! But I wish they had some desi performers too - imagine AR Rahman or Diljit Dosanjh on that stage! Still, the Beckhams and Beyonce make this a proper Bollywood-style event. 😄
Donald Trump and Melania sitting with FIFA president and Mexican president - politics and football, what a combination! Meanwhile, in India, we'd have had a CM and PM photo op during the final. The real hero here is Spain, who played like true champions. Viva Espana! 🇪🇸👏
Watching Tom Cruise talk about football uniting people gave me chills - especially as an Indian who loves the sport but knows our cricket obsession overshadows it. But imagine if India hosted this! We'd have Bollywood stars, cricket legends, and enough color to fill a Holi celebration. Baby steps, but this is inspiring. ⚽🇮🇳
Beyonce and Rihanna in the same stadium? That's like having Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle at the same event! The VIP list is more star-studded than a Filmfare awards night. But honestly, I feel for Argentine fans - losing in extra time must be heartbreaking. Spain deserved it though, they played beautiful football all tournament. 🏆
While the world enjoys this glitz and glamour, I can't help but wonder - when will India have a proper football infrastructure? We have the passion,
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.