The 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina began with a spectacular opening ceremony at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, featuring a luxury trophy presentation, Hollywood star Tom Cruise, and several celebrity appearances before kickoff.
Solid message from Post Malone during the World Cup final opening ceremony 😅#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/I3Ovi4aG3u
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 19, 2026
Ahead of the match, Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson performed the United States national anthem, setting the stage for the tournament's closing ceremony in front of a packed stadium.
One of the ceremony's most talked-about moments came when the iconic FIFA World Cup trophy was unveiled inside a custom-made Louis Vuitton trunk.
The stars are out in New York! 🚨🗽
Tom Cruise, iShowSpeed, Robbie Williams, and more! What did you think of the World Cup Final opening ceremony? 🤩#fifaworldcupfinal26 pic.twitter.com/RLodP4dYqT
— Martin media ug (@MartinezOffici7) July 19, 2026
Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz and South Korean actress Jung Ho-yeon carried the luxury case onto the field before placing it on a pedestal and revealing football's most prestigious prize.
The ceremony then shifted to Tom Cruise, who delivered an emotional speech celebrating the global impact of the FIFA World Cup and the unity the tournament creates across nations.
Tom Cruise gives an inspirational speech while opening the FIFA #WorldCup final:
"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
"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 during his address.
Hoyeon and Carlos Alcaraz present the Louis Vuitton trophy trunk containing the FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy. 📷 pic.twitter.com/ZTycoyALfh
— GoldenSeries (@series_golden) July 19, 2026
The star-studded ceremony quickly became a major talking point among fans, with many questioning FIFA's decision to present the World Cup trophy in a luxury Louis Vuitton case, as well as Cruise's unexpected role in the event.
IShowSpeed performs at the World Cup Final opening ceremony 🎤#WorldCupFinal #IShowSpeed #SpainVsArgentina #FIFAWorlCup pic.twitter.com/MeMTmtSfyy
— Playmax (@HAlieze68930) July 19, 2026
Despite the mixed reactions surrounding the elaborate production, the ceremony officially brought the curtain down on the largest World Cup in history before attention shifted to the action on the pitch.
Spain went on to defeat Argentina 1-0 after extra time, with Ferran Torres scoring the winning goal to secure La Roja's second FIFA World Cup title and their first since 2010.
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