"We have shared in moments of joy, hope...": Tom Cruise celebrates unity in pre-final FIFA World Cup ceremony
New Jersey, July 20
Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise captivated a packed stadium and millions of viewers worldwide with his emotional address moments before the FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Spain and Argentina, paying tribute to the tournament's global spirit and the unifying power of football.
Standing at the centre of the pre-match ceremony, Cruise reflected on the month-long spectacle that brought together 48 nations across three host countries.
"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. From three countries across them and from every corner of the globe, we have witnessed greatness. And we have shared in moments of joy, moments of hope, moments we will never forget," the 'Mission: Impossible' actor shared.
Describing football as a universal language, Cruise added, "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."
As anticipation built for the title clash between Spain and Argentina, the actor turned his attention to the two finalists while emphasising that the tournament belonged to everyone who had been part of its journey.
"Today, only two teams remain. Spain and Argentina. But these stories belong to each and every one of us, to every nation, to every player, to every supporter, to every volunteer, to every dream carried on the pitch," he continued.
Celebrating the moment, Tom Cruise called upon the crowd and said, "So 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 UEFA. This is greatness."
The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina is being played at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday (local time).
— ANI
Reader Comments
Okay but why is Tom Cruise doing the FIFA ceremony? Mission Impossible man has nothing better to do? Still, the message about unity is nice. But it's easy to talk about football uniting people when you're from a country that's never faced a border blockade. 🙄
"Football is a language spoken without words" - beautifully put, Mr. Cruise. As a lifelong Argentina fan from Bangalore, I've felt that connection with every goal Messi scored. Today's final is a dream matchup. Spain vs Argentina in New Jersey? The world is watching, and we're all united in this moment. Vamos Argentina! 🇦🇷
I'm happy for the spectacle, but can we talk about how India was excluded from the World Cup again? We have billions of fans, some of the best young talent, and zero representation. "The tournament belongs to every nation" - clearly not all nations, Tom. 😤
Epic finale! Argentina vs Spain, two footballing giants. Cruise's speech was decent but it's the players on the pitch who truly show unity. From the streets of Buenos Aires to the fields of Delhi, football is our shared heartbeat. Let's just enjoy this moment without overthinking politics. 🎉
Tom Cruise doing the pre-final ceremony is a bit too Hollywood for my taste. But the sentiment is spot on. The World Cup transcends borders, and this tournament especially, with 48 nations and three hosts, shows what we can achieve when we work together. Now let's enjoy the final!
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