Madonna, BTS, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and several other "muppets" will perform in the first-ever halftime show during the World Cup final, but now FIFA has decided to double down, making this already highly Americanized mega-event even more grandiose. Tom Cruise is slated for a "special appearance" following his sensational performance at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where he descended from the stadium roof on a rope and handed the Olympic flag to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass as part of the Games handover ceremony. It remains unclear whether football fans will see another stunt from the seemingly tireless star of the "Mission: Impossible" franchise. Additionally, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award-winning singer and actress Jennifer Hudson will perform the U.S. national anthem, while Laura Pausini, Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, and YouTube star IShowSpeed will also take the stage in one format or another. "In harmony with the spirit of the opening ceremonies that welcomed the world to the greatest stage in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the closing ceremony will complete the circle of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with music, culture, and football before we kick off the long-awaited match that will determine the champion of this groundbreaking tournament," said Haimo Shirgi, the operational director of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. FIFA added that "fans in the stadium will play an active role in the show," urging them to arrive early. In the World Cup final, either England or Argentina will face Spain, which defeated France 2-0 yesterday. The final will take place on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.