If someone had predicted five years ago that IShowSpeed would perform at the FIFA World Cup Final, many football fans would have laughed it off. Yet on Sunday, 19 July, Darren Watkins Jr. proved just how far his journey has taken him, opening the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final with a performance watched by more than 82,000 fans inside MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The 21-year-old streamer became the first performer to step onto the pitch during the tournament’s closing ceremony ahead of the highly anticipated final between Spain and Argentina.
Dressed in a sharp all-white suit, IShowSpeed emerged alongside a vibrant ensemble of drummers and dancers dressed in colourful tracksuits. The percussion-heavy opening set the tone before he launched into “World Cup (Champions),” his official FIFA World Cup 2026 anthem.
The energetic three-minute performance transformed the stadium into a celebration before a single ball had been kicked. While fans know IShowSpeed for his chaotic livestreams, viral reactions and endless energy, this performance revealed a more polished side of the internet personality as he confidently commanded one of football’s biggest stages.
The song, released last month as part of the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album, became one of the tournament’s signature tracks after featuring prominently at fan festivals and stadium events throughout the competition. Performing it live during the closing ceremony elevated the anthem even further, marking one of the biggest moments of Speed’s career.
The entertainment continued long after his performance. Jennifer Hudson followed with a stirring rendition of the United States national anthem accompanied by a live band, while Hollywood star Tom Cruise addressed the crowd with a message celebrating football’s ability to unite people across cultures.
The ceremony also featured performances from Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini before Post Malone took over with “Wow.” He later reunited with Swae Lee to perform their global hit “Sunflower.”
Halftime brought another unforgettable spectacle as FIFA staged the longest halftime show in World Cup history, lasting over 27 minutes. Madonna headlined the performance, joined by Justin Bieber, BTS and a special reunion between Shakira and Burna Boy, who performed “Dai Dai,” one of the tournament’s defining songs.
Curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, the halftime show also supported the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative working to raise $100 million for children’s education worldwide.
The final attracted an equally star-studded audience, with Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Kylie Jenner, Timothée Chalamet and Anya Taylor-Joy among the celebrities watching from the stands.