Star Power and A-List Audience Highlights World Cup Final Broadcast

The 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded Sunday with a broadcast event designed to maximize global viewership, featuring a halftime spectacle that blended music icons with pop culture phenomena. As Spain defeated Argentina in an overtime thriller at MetLife Stadium, the entertainment surrounding the match was equally headline-grabbing.

Prior to kickoff, Jennifer Hudson performed the national anthem, setting a ceremonial tone for the contest. The halftime interval transformed into a musical revue, with performances from Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and global K-pop sensation BTS. In a unique crossover, The Muppets also made an appearance during the show.

Beyond the on-field talent, the production drew significant attention for its celebrity attendees. Actor Tom Cruise addressed the crowd before the match, reflecting on the tournament’s scale and the unifying power of football. The spectator stands included President Donald Trump and Hollywood figures such as Matt Damon, Will Ferrell, and Timothée Chalamet.

The event served as a significant content driver for the broadcaster. Fox Corporation, which operates the FOX Sports networks responsible for airing the tournament, has heavily invested in securing rights to major sporting events. The company, currently trading with a market capitalization of approximately $23.47 billion, relies on high-profile matchups like the World Cup final to drive advertising revenue and engagement across its Cable Network Programming and Television segments. The stock saw recent movement, closing at $57.62.

What to watch

• Future viewership ratings for the final match to gauge advertising impact.
• Fox Corporation’s quarterly earnings report for specific revenue attributed to the World Cup tournament.

Source: original release