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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — FIFA wanted a big finish, and it got one.
Soccer’s global governing body created a massive spectacle for its World Cup final. FIFA staged an extensive pre-match closing ceremony, a star-studded halftime show, and a glitzy post-match presentation featuring U.S. President Donald Trump crashing the trophy lift. On the pitch, Spain defeated Argentina 1–0 in an extra-time thriller.
The July 19 match marked the end of FIFA’s biggest World Cup ever. The tournament featured 48 teams in 104 matches across 16 host cities, and distributed $655 million in prize money, 50% more than in 2022. FIFA predicted it would make $11 billion in revenue, but that number will be closer to $15 billion, according to The Guardian.
FIFA placed the final at outdoor MetLife Stadium, betting on good weather in the cultural capital of the U.S. Despite a recent heat wave, poor air quality from wildfire smoke, and flooding in New York and New Jersey, FIFA got an 80-degree afternoon with a moderate air quality reading.
Trump’s first World Cup appearance created long security lines at the media entrance as TSA and Secret Service agents ran screenings.
While some fans told Front Office Sports it didn’t take long to enter the stadium, the line for media, volunteers, and performers was monstrous. Lines formed early in the morning and took some over three hours to complete. To make matters worse, some photographers received error messages trying to scan in and were sent to another line to seek help.
FIFA’s Big Show
FIFA peppered the tournament with musical performances, and saved its most elaborate show for last. The pre-match opening ceremony included Post Malone and IShowSpeed, Jennifer Hudson singing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and Tom Cruise and Chris Martin giving speeches.
FIFA’s first World Cup final halftime show was brightly colored and jam-packed with talent. Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and Burna Boy performed, broken up by appearances from the Muppets and “Ted Lasso” stars Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt.
Dancers held up flags, globes, and banners spelling out L–O–V–E, with the “O” as planet Earth. The surface-level multiculturalism above a tarp resembling a summer camp tie-dye T-shirt lasted about 12 minutes. The entire halftime took over 27 minutes, surpassing the 15-minute limit dictated by international soccer rules.
After Lamine Yamal, Rodri, and Ferran Torres ended Messi and Argentina’s World Cup run, a giant golden World Cup trophy appeared behind a purple-and-gold stage. FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the leaders of all three host nations, Spanish King Felipe VI, and other figureheads shook hands with players. Trump put medals on both Messi and Yamal.
As he did when Chelsea won the Club World Cup last summer, Infantino tried to get Trump out of the trophy lift photo-op, even briskly crossing the stage to motion to Trump to move away. The U.S. president ignored his friend’s gestures until after the moment Spain lifted the trophy, then turned his back to the cameras, gave Infantino a side-hug, and walked off as gold confetti fell.
‘Invest For Memories’
At $11,327, the World Cup final had the most expensive average ticket price for any sporting event in the U.S., topping the 2024 Super Bowl, according to TickPick.
The average get-in price on secondary markets hit around $10,000 on Saturday afternoon, before falling to around $7,500 before the match on Sunday, according to resale tracking site TicketData.
Two Spanish fans told FOS they each got $6,000 tickets through the Royal Spanish Football Federation. An Argentine fan told FOS he spent $8,000 each for himself and his 3-year-old son.
“For me it’s like, invest for memories,” said Gustavo, who now lives in Tennessee. “Because I remember my dad when I was a kid going with him to watch games.”
In the end, it was another youngster—Yamal’s younger brother, Keyne—whose team emerged victorious. The expressive toddler who went viral throughout the tournament gave his signature big scream when his older brother got his medal. He ran across the field to touch the giant trophy statue and threw a piece of the net at his older brother, who scooped him into a big hug.
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