Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday, as leading figures from film, music, fashion and sport gathered for the final at New York New Jersey Stadium. Substitute Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute to secure Spain’s second World Cup title.
The final also featured two separate entertainment programmes, including a pre-match closing ceremony and the first official World Cup final halftime show. Tom Cruise made a special appearance before kickoff, while Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS were the main halftime performers.
Spain controlled much of the match but struggled to turn its possession and attacking pressure into a goal during regular time. Argentina’s task became more difficult when Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card near the end of the second half, leaving the defending champions with 10 players.
The match remained goalless until Torres broke the deadlock during the first period of extra time. His goal ended Argentina’s title defence and returned Spain to the summit of world football for the first time since its previous triumph in 2010.
Before the football began, the stadium hosted a closing ceremony featuring performers including Post Malone, Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, Laura Pausini and Jennifer Hudson. The pre-match programme was separate from the halftime production staged during the interval.
Williams, Scherzinger and Pausini performed together during the closing ceremony, while Post Malone also appeared as part of the entertainment programme. Hudson delivered a performance before kickoff, adding to a schedule designed to turn the final into a major international entertainment event as well as a football match.
The halftime show was led by Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS. Other participants included Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus, members of Coldplay and characters from the Muppets.
The production marked the first time that a FIFA World Cup final had featured an official halftime show on this scale. The programme brought together international pop stars, musicians, a children’s choir and familiar entertainment characters during the interval.
The celebrity audience included Matt Damon, who attended with his wife, Luciana Barroso. She showed her support for Argentina by wearing the national team’s colours, while Damon chose a more casual outfit for the match.
Tom Cruise also watched the final from the stadium after his pre-match appearance. He was seen alongside David Beckham, Victoria Beckham and their son Cruz Beckham.
Other film stars in attendance included Javier Bardem, Julia Garner and Anya Taylor-Joy. Taylor-Joy wore a cream outfit with a blue and white scarf, while Garner attended in a leather jacket, white top and black skirt.
Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet were also among the spectators. Chalamet took part in the wider match presentation before joining Jenner in the stands for the final.
Music stars Beyoncé and Jay-Z attended together, while actor Blake Lively appeared with friends and shared images from the stadium on social media. Richard Gere attended with his wife, Alejandra Silva.
The presence of major entertainment figures reflected the global profile of the tournament’s final match. The 2026 competition was staged across Canada, Mexico and the United States, with the championship game held in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
For Spain, however, the night ultimately belonged to the players. Torres’s late goal settled a tense final and gave Spain another major international title, following its European Championship success in 2024.
The victory also confirmed Spain’s return as one of international football’s dominant teams. Argentina arrived as defending champions but could not find a response after falling behind in extra time, allowing Spain to lift the trophy in front of a stadium filled with supporters and global celebrities.
