Trump, Bieber and Shakira: A World Cup Final Like Never Before

The 2026 World Cup final may not be remembered for its football, but it will go down in history for the spectacle that surrounded it. The match, held at New York New Jersey Stadium, featured the longest halftime in World Cup history, a pre-kick-off speech by Hollywood actor Tom Cruise, an appearance by US President Donald Trump, and extensive fireworks—all in broad daylight. Spain won the trophy for the second time, defeating Argentina 1-0 through a Ferran Torres goal in extra time, but the game itself offered little else to discuss.

Trump's Presence and Controversy

This World Cup was co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, but the United States drew much of the attention, particularly regarding President Trump. Trump had previously stated that this was a World Cup like no other, a claim underscored by the controversy surrounding US striker Folarin Balogun. Balogun was sent off but avoided a ban after Trump admitted he had spoken to FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the sending-off. The lifted suspension allowed Balogun to play in the USA's last-16 loss to Belgium.

Trump had not attended any matches prior to the final, making his appearance at the championship game highly anticipated. He arrived in one of three helicopters that flew overhead before landing, and he took his seat alongside Infantino about 20 minutes before kick-off, just in time to watch Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger perform in the closing ceremony. During the first half, he was seen being shown the World Cup trophy.

The Longest Halftime in History

The halftime interval was extended to 27 minutes to accommodate a Super Bowl-style mini-concert. The lineup included Madonna, BTS, Coldplay, and Shakira, whose song 'Dai Dai' served as the official World Cup anthem. Justin Bieber also appeared, performing an acoustic guitar version of 'Everything Hallelujah' after receiving a pep talk from fictional characters Ted Lasso and Coach Beard.

Fan reaction to the extended halftime was mixed. In the Match of the Day studio, former England striker Wayne Rooney offered a blunt assessment: "I thought it was crap. I thought the performances were bad. The timings were bad. Just let us play football."

Pre-Match Ceremony and Trophy Presentation

The closing ceremony before the match featured loud music, dancing on the pitch, and a dramatic speech by actor Tom Cruise. After the match, neutrals watched closely to see how visible a role Trump would play in the trophy presentation. At the end of the previous year's Club World Cup final, Trump had become caught up in Chelsea's celebrations after presenting the trophy to captain Reece James, remaining on stage for a few seconds before departing.