American streamer and internet personality IShowSpeed opened the closing ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final with an energetic performance at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
According to ESPN, the content creator took centre stage before the final between defending champions Argentina and European champions Spain on Sunday.
IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., performed his football-themed song, “World Cup (Champions),” before thousands of spectators inside the stadium and a global television audience.
The streamer appeared in a football-inspired outfit as dancers and other performers joined him on stage during the colourful production.
His appearance marked another major moment in his long-standing association with football. IShowSpeed has built a large international following through his livestreams, energetic personality and public admiration for Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Before the event, the streamer disclosed that FIFA had contacted him to perform the song at the closing ceremony. He initially believed the invitation was a prank before officials confirmed it.
IShowSpeed joined a star-studded closing ceremony lineup that included Post Malone, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger and Robbie Williams.
Hollywood actor Tom Cruise also made a special appearance, while Jennifer Hudson performed the United States national anthem ahead of kick-off.
FIFA organised the ceremony to celebrate the journeys of the 48 participating teams and the tournament’s host cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The performance generated widespread reactions on social media, with fans celebrating IShowSpeed’s rise from producing football-related online content to performing on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
The closing ceremony preceded the highly anticipated final between Argentina and Spain, with both countries seeking to end the expanded 2026 tournament as world champions.
