EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina featured a pregame entertainment ceremony and the tournament’s first halftime show Sunday, bringing a Super Bowl-style spectacle to soccer’s biggest match. The pregame ceremony included live musical performances and other entertainment before kickoff, while the 11-minute halftime show featured a fast-paced mix of music, television characters and special appearances at MetLife Stadium.
Dancers perform as colorful smoke rises above the stadium during the halftime show at the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Dancers perform as colorful smoke rises above the stadium during the halftime show at the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Add AP News on Google
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.
Share
Read More
Singer Post Malone performs during the tournament closing ceremony before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Singer Post Malone performs during the tournament closing ceremony before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Add AP News on Google
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.
Share
Read More
Dancers perform during the pregame closing ceremony at the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Dancers perform during the pregame closing ceremony at the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Add AP News on Google
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.
Share
Read More
Jennifer Hudson sings the national anthem of the United States prior to the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Jennifer Hudson sings the national anthem of the United States prior to the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Add AP News on Google
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.
Share
Read More
Entertainers perform during halftime of the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Entertainers perform during halftime of the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Add AP News on Google
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.
Share
Read More
Dancers perform during the tournament closing ceremony before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dancers perform during the tournament closing ceremony before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Add AP News on Google
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.
Share
Read More
Tom Cruise speaks during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Tom Cruise speaks during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Add AP News on Google
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.
Share
Read More
From left: Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini perform prior to the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
From left: Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini perform prior to the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Add AP News on Google
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.
Share
Read More
Swae Lee performs before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Swae Lee performs before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Add AP News on Google
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.
Share
Read More
Children run on the pitch during the halftime show of during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Children run on the pitch during the halftime show of during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Add AP News on Google
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.
Share
Read More
Dancers perform during the halftime show of during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dancers perform during the halftime show of during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Add AP News on Google
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.
Share
Read More
Pyrotechnics fire as players line up during the pregame ceremony before the World Cup championship final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Pyrotechnics fire as players line up during the pregame ceremony before the World Cup championship final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Add AP News on Google
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.
Share
Read More
Post Malone waves during the pregame closing ceremony before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Post Malone waves during the pregame closing ceremony before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Add AP News on Google
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.
Share
Read More
Singer Post Malone performs during the tournament closing ceremony before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Singer Post Malone performs during the tournament closing ceremony before the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Add AP News on Google
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.
Share
Read More
South Korean boy band BTS perform during the halftime show of the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
South Korean boy band BTS perform during the halftime show of the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Add AP News on Google
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.
Share
Read More
Justin Bieber leaves the pitch after performing at halftime during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Justin Bieber leaves the pitch after performing at halftime during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Add AP News on Google
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.
Share
Read More
Shakira performs at halftime of the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Shakira performs at halftime of the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Add AP News on Google
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.
Share
Read More
Artists perform during half time of the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Artists perform during half time of the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Add AP News on Google
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.
