By Bilal Khan 
Celebrities gather for the final match
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) drew a significant number of celebrities from various fields. The event, held on July 19, saw an array of Hollywood stars, music icons, and athletes in attendance, marking it as a major sporting and entertainment occasion.
Among the notable attendees were actor Matt Damon, who walked the golden carpet with his wife, Luciana Damon. Luciana, an Argentina native, showed her support for her home country by wearing the Albiceleste jersey. Also present were music superstars Beyoncé and Jay-Z, who were seen enjoying the match.
Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz celebrated Spain’s victory and had the honour of opening the briefcase containing the World Cup trophy before its presentation. He was joined by South Korean actress and model Jung Ho-yeon, as well as football legends Andrés Iniesta and Mario Kempes.
Hollywood icon Tom Cruise was also at the stadium, participating in the closing ceremony. Reports indicated his involvement in the pre-game entertainment before the final. Colombian actress Sofía Vergara attended with her son Manolo and friends, expressing her excitement for the event on social media.
The Beckham family was well-represented, with David and Victoria Beckham attending alongside their sons Romeo and Cruz. They were also joined by Romeo’s girlfriend Kim Turbull and Cruz’s girlfriend Jackie Apostel. Socialite Martha Stewart shared a photo with David and Victoria Beckham from one of the stadium boxes.
Spanish actor Javier Bardem openly supported Spain, arriving on the golden carpet in a display of national pride. American actor Richard Gere, wearing a red jersey, also showed his support for Spain, his wife’s homeland. Legendary musician Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones was another prominent figure on the golden carpet.
Canadian model Winnie Harlow was seen at the stadium, maintaining a neutral stance with her all-white attire. The couple Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet were also present, caught on camera during the ceremony broadcast. Timothée Chalamet had the distinct role of bringing out the game ball for the final match.
Former Spain national team player Carles Puyol attended with his wife, Vanesa Lorenzo, to cheer for “La Roja.” Russian actress Irina Baeva watched the match with her boyfriend, Giovanni Medina. Mexican footballer Javier Hernández, known as “Chicharito,” shared a selfie from the field before the game, attending as a commentator. Football great Zinedine Zidane was also on hand.
Skiing legend Lindsey Vonn was a strong supporter of Spain, witnessing their victory. Actress Julia Garner walked the gold carpet before the closing ceremony and the final match. Other notable attendees included Donald Trump, MrBeast, Odell Beckham Jr., and Gayle King.
Musical performances and closing ceremony
The World Cup final featured an extensive lineup of musical performances, including a first-ever halftime show. The closing ceremony included Jennifer Hudson performing the U.S. national anthem, and Maria Becerra performing the Argentine national anthem. Laura Pausini, who was expected to sing “Desire,” the official tournament anthem, also performed at the closing ceremony.
The halftime show, curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, featured headliners such as Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and BTS. These artists represented a global range of music, with Madonna performing with Brazilian football legends Ronaldinho and Ronaldo, and BTS delivering their hit “Dynamite.”
The halftime show also reportedly included Coldplay, Nigerian singer Burna Boy, Los Angeles Philharmonic music director Gustavo Dudamel, and New York City’s PS22 Chorus, along with characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets. Shakira brought out Burna Boy during the halftime show, where they collaborated on “Dai Dai,” the official anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Actors Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt reprised their roles as Ted Lasso and Coach Beard, respectively, to give a pep talk to Justin Bieber during the halftime show. Other performers during the closing ceremony included Post Malone, Nicole Scherzinger, and Robbie Williams. Shakira also presented the Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match trophy to Ferran Torres of Spain at the end of the match.
Comedian and television host Trevor Noah attended the game, streaming his commentaries and reactions live on social media. Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran made an appearance on Trevor Noah’s social media stream. The event brought together a diverse group of individuals to witness Spain’s victory over Argentina on July 19.
Source: hola.com
