Post Malone took center stage at the FIFA World Cup Final 2026, headlining the pregame ceremony at the New York New Jersey Stadium roughly 90 minutes before Spain and Argentina met for the title. The rapper delivered a genre-hopping set to a packed crowd, setting the tone for one of the biggest nights on the global sporting calendar.
He launched the performance with “Chrome Heartbreaker,” a brand-new track he had teased just a week earlier. From there he rolled into familiar favorites, playing “Wow” before closing out with “Sunflower,” his collaboration with Swae Lee.
The appearance delivered on the promise FIFA President Gianni Infantino made when the booking was announced. Infantino said Malone would offer a performance that honored the tournament’s run and energized the stadium in the final moments before attention shifted to the two competing sides.
A star-studded pregame lineup
Malone was far from the only major name on hand. Tom Cruise made an appearance ahead of the release of his new film “Digger,” due out in the fall of 2026. Jennifer Hudson drew a powerful reaction with her rendition of the US national anthem, and YouTube personality IShowSpeed performed his track “Champions.”
The festivities were only building toward the halftime spectacle, which was set to feature an even larger roster of headliners. Justin Bieber was billed to top the bill alongside Madonna, Shakira, and BTS, giving those in attendance a show designed to rival the match itself.
Music at the heart of the tournament
The 2026 World Cup leaned heavily on live performance from the opening whistle, spreading marquee acts across all three host nations of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Shakira teamed with Burna Boy to open the tournament in Mexico City with a performance of “Dai Dai.” The US opener at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles brought together Future, Tyla, and Katy Perry, while Canada’s opening ceremony spotlighted Michael Bublé, Alessia Cara, and Eliana. Ellie Goulding appeared at the quarter-finals as her home nation, England, knocked out Norway, though the English side later bowed out following a semi-final defeat to Argentina.
Closing out a musical marathon
Currently touring stadiums with Jelly Roll on his “Big Ass Stadium” run, Malone capped off a tournament that placed music alongside the football at every turn. As supporters waited to learn whether Spain or Argentina would lift the trophy, organizers had already locked in the next edition. The 2030 World Cup will mark the competition’s 100th anniversary, with Morocco, Portugal, and Spain confirmed as hosts.
