The FIFA World Cup 2026. | Source: Getty Images
As the trophy was lifted, the topics capturing the most attention had already left the field for their social media moments.
The final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 boasted enough celebrity presence to rival an awards show, yet the most talked-about moments were not from the match itself.
A single word, a bold musical arrangement, and a slightly awkward exchange would soon send viewers rushing to social media.
Hollywood, music, and politics converged at the most prestigious final yet
East Rutherford’s New York-New Jersey Stadium was packed for the showdown between Argentina and Spain, featuring some of the biggest names in entertainment in the stands.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, stars like Tom Cruise, Matt Damon with his wife Luciana, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, David and Victoria Beckham, Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, Will Ferrell, and Kevin Hart were all in attendance.
Serena Williams, Pharrell Williams, Javier Bardem, Jon Hamm, MrBeast, Adrien Brody, Trevor Noah, Richard Gere, Jason Sudeikis, Julia Garner, Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union, Gayle King, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Anna Wintour were also reportedly present. Even for a World Cup, this was an extraordinary gathering of celebrities.
The final attracted an exceptional array of guests from film, music, fashion, sports, and politics. With so many big names in one location, the reactions from the audience quickly became part of the narrative.
U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump watched the match from a VIP box alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
They were joined by international political figures and royals, including Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
High-profile political leaders, members of royal families, and top officials from the world of football attended the final alongside some of the biggest stars in the entertainment industry. This high-profile political attendance would later lead to one of the most discussed and awkward moments of the ceremony.
There were also high-energy performances, with Post Malone and Swae Lee kicking things off during the pre-match ceremony. Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, and Nicole Scherzinger performed the World Cup anthem “Desire,” while a famous American singer delivered the U.S. national anthem.
The pre-match program featured several notable musical performances before Jennifer Hudson’s highly controversial rendition of the national anthem. Viewers praised the power and passion of her performance, although others felt the theatrical arrangement overshadowed the well-known song.
The very first halftime show at a World Cup final featured even more big names, including Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira, Burna Boy, Coldplay with the PS22 choir, Gustavo Dudamel, the New York Philharmonic, and the Muppets.
However, despite all this talent on display, the internet’s initial obsession began with a Hollywood actor standing alone on the field.
Justin Bieber was among the big artists involved in the ambitious entertainment program for the final. His presence underscored how the FIFA had transformed this championship match into a global pop culture event.
Tom Cruise took to the field… then an unexpected word interrupted his speech
Tom was given a prime spot in the opening festivities, stepping onto the field to say a few words before the final. Dressed in black and holding a microphone, he began with a heartfelt reflection on the tournament’s global journey.
“More than 30 days ago, 48 nations embarked on a journey,” the actor stated in a video shared by FIFA. “They crossed oceans, pushed through borders, and transcended cultural barriers. Together, they showed us why this sport belongs to the entire world.”
His opening address was intended to highlight the international reach of the tournament and the spirit of unity it embodies. Instead, his repeated use of the word “football” became an unlikely topic of online discussion.
He went on to celebrate the unforgettable moments of “joy” and “hope” that the competition inspired. His speech was grand, emotional, and clearly aimed at a global audience.
Then came the word that instantly captured the audience’s attention when Tom declared:
“Football is a language that speaks without words, a force that unites people, turning strangers into friends and reminding us of what we all have in common.”
After announcing that it was now “Spain and Argentina,” he emphasized that the stories of this tournament belonged to each nation, every player, supporter, and volunteer. “As we gather for this final chapter, let us celebrate this tournament that has united the entire world,” he said. “Let us celebrate each other.” Tom concluded: “This is football. This is unity. And this is greatness.”
What was meant to be a moving tribute to the sport’s ability to bring people together ended up having much of the reaction focusing on something much simpler: An American repeatedly referred to the game as “football,” not “soccer.”
Tom concluded: “This is football. This is unity. And this, this is greatness,” in a typically dramatic ending. Online users quickly debated everything from his speech style to whether an American should have referred to the sport as “soccer.”
“Did he say ‘football’?” Viewers couldn’t help but notice Tom’s word choice
This word choice delighted some viewers, surprised others, and led to a flurry of jokes. In a discussion on Facebook about this moment, one viewer wrote: “Cruise has traveled outside the U.S., so he knows the world calls it football.” Another joked: “He doesn’t want to say ‘soccer’? [sic] Americans are Googling what ‘football’ means…”
Someone else added: “I was just impressed he didn’t call it ‘soccer’,” while a viewer on Instagram, less interested in terminology, commented: “Is this a joke? Let’s get back to the second half already.”
The speech also garnered some perplexed reactions on Reddit. One user stated: “It was… weird.” Another posted: “Wait… he said ‘football’? An American?! [sic].” Joining in the discussion, another user explained: “It’s soccer… In the U.S., ‘football’ means something else,” while another observer simply asked: “What was that?”
Discussions continued on X, where Football HQ posted: “Tom Cruise giving the most cringe-worthy and American speech of all time in front of a crowd of South Americans and Spanish-speaking fans [sic], perfectly sums up the ‘United States’.”
Another commentator noted this unexpected word choice by writing: “I’m shocked Tom Cruise [sic] said ‘football’ instead of ‘soccer.’ 😂😂.”
Meanwhile, someone else commented: “It makes perfect sense that Tom [sic] is giving this weird speech that’s hard to understand. Total Cruise.”
Tom’s speech was undeniably theatrical, but this is not surprising considering who it was coming from. The funny part is that his use of the globally preferred term might have become the most celebrated aspect of an appearance that otherwise would have stirred mixed opinions.
However, the actor’s choice of words was just the first celebrity debate of the day. Another involved a mysterious singer, a bold arrangement, and a performance that left audiences divided.
The ceremony was supposed to showcase the tournament as a celebration of global unity. Instead, his very theatrical expression and repeated use of “football” became their own story.
Guess who? A powerhouse singer entered, and the internet quickly split
Before revealing the name, think of the caliber of artists who participated in the final program. This event brought together artists from pop, R&B, rock, and major world tours. Any of these stars would have been welcomed with great expectations.
The artist at the center of the next controversy is an Oscar-winning actress, Grammy-winning singer, and former reality TV contestant known for her exceptionally powerful voice: Jennifer Hudson.
Before the match, Jennifer stepped up to perform the U.S. national anthem in an all-white outfit. She was accompanied by a live band, while uniformed participants waving flags added to the solemn atmosphere.
Her rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” became one of the most controversial performances of the ceremony. Some viewers praised her power and stage presence, while others felt that the arrangement and vocal flourishes went too far.
She performed with intense passion, drawing on the full power of her renowned voice. The video of her anthem performance showcased how she went all out on the highest notes of the song, opting not for a subdued or traditional interpretation.
This was a performance designed to fill a stadium, and it certainly didn’t blend discreetly into the pre-match program.
“She screams” or “It’s impressive”? Fans heard two very different interpretations
In a discussion on Reddit about this performance, someone remarked: “She’s screaming, as usual,” while another offered a more mixed review: “She was great, but [sic] I didn’t like the musical arrangements.”
Another user defended the performance while recognizing why it might divide opinion: “Impressive. The arrangement felt a bit like a musical, which isn’t everyone’s taste, but I thought it was well done.”
Opinions were just as divided on Facebook. One user commented: “Yeah, that wasn’t a good arrangement, and it wasn’t her best performance.” Meanwhile, another was more blunt: “But she didn’t sing… she screamed!!! 🤦♀️.” Others vehemently challenged this opinion: a fan exclaimed: “It was a fantastic performance!!!” and another admirer gushed: “It was incredible.”
Whether viewers heard “screaming” or spectacular vocal power depended entirely on which side of the debate they were already on.
The final significant moment, however, had nothing to do with singing or speeches. It began after Spain’s victory when the trophy arrived on stage, and two influential figures seemed to have very different ideas about what should happen next.
During the trophy presentation ceremony for Spain, political figures and football officials gathered alongside the new champions. The prolonged exchange between Donald Trump and the players quickly became a buzz topic surrounding the trophy presentation.
After Spain won the World Cup, Donald and Gianni went onstage holding the golden trophy together. In a video shared online, the two men approached the exuberant Spanish team to present the trophy to the captain. They then stepped back, applauding as the players prepared to celebrate their victory.
Initially, everything seemed to go according to plan. Then Gianni reached toward Donald from behind, as if trying to usher him away from the center of the stage.
Donald continued chatting with the players. He shared a brief hug with the captain and then turned to another player at the end of the group.
Gianni seemed to wait for an opportune moment before rushing over to him and gesturing to the side, apparently indicating where they should exit. Donald appeared not to notice this first cue.
FIFA’s president approached him again and whispered something before stepping away. After a final round of applause, the two men ultimately left the stage, allowing the Spanish players to continue celebrating, dancing, and enjoying the moment.
This only lasted a brief moment, but the repeated attempts to move the ceremony along were impossible for viewers to miss.
Gianni Infantino seemed to try to usher Trump away once the official ceremony was over, prompting viewers to wonder if this moment represented a miscommunication or a vague staging. This brief exchange became one of the most replayed improvised moments of the final.
“He looked lost”: Online reactions to this unexpected moment
One Instagram user remarked: “He looked lost!!” Another commented: “It’s not funny, it’s too sad.” Other viewers described the scene in equally straightforward terms: “So awkward 😬,” “They should have coordinated in advance,” and “Trump looks completely lost and disoriented.”
Yet not everyone viewed this moment negatively; one supporter remarked: “Trump’s on point. Americans love him. Critics will always hate. 😍😮😂.”
Three big names, three moments no one could have anticipated
The match itself made history, with Spain and Argentina competing for the sport’s highest title in front of a truly incredible audience. However, the show surrounding the match created a parallel event that almost entirely unfolded through videos of reactions and commentary.
Tom Cruise wanted to celebrate unity, but viewers focused on an American saying “football.” Jennifer delivered a powerful performance, but the arrangement and vocal intensity divided listeners.
Then, just as Spain was about to celebrate, Donald and Gianni provided one last unexpected moment. Watching FIFA President repeatedly try to lead the president toward the exit was the exact kind of cringe-worthy, fleeting scene that social media thrives on.
