Tom Cruise opens World Cup 2026 final with inspiring speech

Tom Cruise opened the 2026 FIFA World Cup final with a rousing speech celebrating football's ability to unite people before the tournament's showpiece match between Spain and Argentina.

Entertainment Weekly reported standing at the centre of MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the Hollywood star addressed more than 82,000 fans ahead of kick-off.

"More than 30 days ago, eight nations began a journey," Cruise said. "They crossed oceans, they crossed borders, they crossed cultures, and together they showed us why this game belongs to the world."

Cruise celebrates football's power to unite

The Mission: Impossible star praised the tournament for bringing people together through sport.

"We have witnessed greatness, and we have shared in moments of joy, moments of hope, moments we will never forget," Cruise said.

"As we gather for one final chapter, let us celebrate a tournament that brought the world together. Let us celebrate each other. This is football. This is unity. And this is greatness."

Star-studded final featured first FIFA halftime show

The World Cup final also featured FIFA's first-ever halftime show, with performances from Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS, Shakira and Jennifer Hudson, who performed the US national anthem before the match.

Celebrities including Matt Damon, Beyoncé and Timothée Chalamet were among those attending the final.

Tom Cruise meets Elmo and Cookie Monster

Away from the pitch, Cruise posed for photos with Sesame Street favourites Elmo and Cookie Monster.

The official Elmo account later shared the image on social media, writing: "Elmo made a new friend at the game!! Mr. Tom Cruise!!!"

Cruise no stranger to major sporting events

The World Cup appearance comes two years after Cruise headlined the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics with a high-profile stunt.

The actor famously rappelled from the roof of Stade de France before riding away on a motorcycle carrying the Olympic flag, performing the sequence himself without a stunt double.