Tom Cruise closes World Cup ceremony with a passionate speech on the pitch

Hollywood A-lister Tom Cruise, Grammy-winner Jennifer Hudson, and pop icon Robbie Williams led a star-studded closing ceremony for the World Cup on Sunday, just moments before Spain and Argentina battled it out in the final . The spectacle unfolded at the New York New Jersey Stadium, featuring a blend of musical performances and a passionate address on the global power of football. Grammy-winner Jennifer Hudson delivered a powerful rendition of the US national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner . Dressed in a white gown and matching blazer, adorned with a distinctive red, white, and blue ribbon detail, Hudson captivated the audience. Robbie Williams, the former Take That frontman, then performed the official Fifa anthem, Desire , alongside Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger and Italian singer-songwriter Laura Pausini. Williams sported a sparkling royal blue tracksuit, while Scherzinger and Pausini both wore striking blue gowns. The ceremony culminated with a stirring speech from Mission Impossible star Tom Cruise, who addressed the crowd directly from the pitch. Robbie Williams performed the official Fifa anthem, Desire alongside Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger and Italian singer-songwriter Laura Pausini (Getty Images) He began by reflecting on the tournament's journey, stating: "Thirty days ago, nations began a journey. They crossed oceans. They crossed borders. They crossed cultures. And together, they showed us why this game belongs to the world." Cruise emphasised the unifying force of football, describing it as a "language spoken without words" that "unites people" and "turns strangers into friends," reminding them of their shared humanity. He continued, "From every corner of the globe, we have witnessed greatness, and we have shared in moments of joy, moments of hope, moments we will all never forget." Concluding his address, Cruise highlighted the collective ownership of the tournament's narrative: "These stories now belong to each and every one of us, to every nation, to every player, to every supporter, to every volunteer, to every dream carried on the pitch." Tom Cruise ended the ceremony with a passionate speech (Getty Images) He urged attendees to celebrate the global unity fostered by the event: "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, this is greatness." The pre-match festivities commenced nearly an hour earlier with a vibrant display of gold tracksuit-clad drummers performing at the pitch's centre. Online streamer IShowSpeed also performed his track Champions , sporting a crisp white suit and accompanied by a team of dancers. The stadium pitch itself was transformed, featuring depictions of iconic US landmarks such as the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, with a central football-themed stage. Earlier, Post Malone took the stage with Swae Lee (Getty Images) Later, rapper Post Malone took to the stage, performing Chrome Heartbreaker dressed in a cowboy hat, denim jacket, and jeans. He was then joined by rapper Swae Lee to perform their hit song Sunflower . Among the high-profile attendees spotted in the crowd were comedian Will Ferrell, Dune actor Timothee Chalamet with his girlfriend, social media personality Kylie Jenner, and British football legend Sir David and Victoria Beckham.