Post Malone, Laura Pausini, Robbie Williams and Tom Cruise were the protagonists of the closing ceremony of the 2026 World Cup, which began this Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium, located in the city of East Rutherford, New Jersey, before the final match between the teams of Spain and Argentina.
This first act, which began an hour and a half before the initial whistle of the match, celebrated “the unforgettable journey lived through the three host countries and the host cities of the tournament”, because the 2026 World Cup was the first with three host countries: the United States, Mexico and Canada, which hosted the matches.
The lawn was covered with a flag representing the main monuments of New Yorkamong them the Statue of Libertyand that was when the actor Tom Cruisetwo years after having descended from the ceiling in a scene typical of an action stuntman, he became the main figure of this ceremony.
This is because Tom Cruise also participated in the closing ceremony of the Olympicsduring the symbolic relief of Paris 2024 to Los Angeles 2028so that he has become one of the main figures of the sport in the United States, a country that hosted a men’s World Cup final for the second time.
Tom Cruise’s inspiring speech
“Football is a language that needs no words. So as we gather for a final chapter, let’s celebrate a tournament that united the world. Let’s celebrate some to others. This is football. This is unity. “This is greatness,” added Tom Cruise, who gave an inspiring speech during the opening of the 2026 World Cup final.
Tom Cruise, the 64-year-old American actor recognized for his participation in the saga Mission: impossiblethis time he did not carry out any high-risk actions, but instead delivered a message of unity after the month-long World Cup in the United States, with which he sought to convey a message of peace and love in a time of war and hate.
Therefore, the actor hollywood He not only came to the stadium to enjoy the game like any fan, but also to have a participation special at the closing ceremony, because the film producerborn in SyracuseNew York, was very happy that a sport like soccer was enjoyed in the United States.
However, Cruise’s message was not well received in the social networksmainly in Spain and Argentina, as many fans showed their discontent for the presence of American figures at an event in which the stars should be the footballerslike Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, Julián Álvarez or Pau Cubarsí.
Celebrities in New Jersey
Actors, singers, athletes and others celebrities have filled the stands of MetLife Stadium, located in the city of East Rutherford, New Jersey, to watch the match between the Spanish and Argentine national teams, who face each other for the first time in a World Cup since the initial phase of England 1966six decades ago.
However, former footballers Ronaldo Nazário, Mario KempesDavid Villa, Xavi Hernández, Fernando Llorente, Iker BoxesAndrés Iniesta, Carles Puyol and Sergio Ramos have taken the spotlight over other figures, such as Javier Bardem, Richard Gere, Alejandra Silva or the president of the United States himself, Donald Trump.
Tom Cruise gives an inspirational speech while opening FIFA #WorldCup end:
“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 unity. This is greatness.”
(via FOX) pic.twitter.com/xNxQPhnaqA
— Variety (@Variety) July 19, 2026
