The biggest game on the planet landed at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, and apparently every famous person with a free afternoon decided to show up.
Spain and Argentina squared off in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey — the 104th and final match of a tournament that sprawled across North America for six weeks. Defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, faced a Spanish side built around teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. The Guardian documented the occasion in a photo gallery published Sunday afternoon.
But the sideline was its own spectacle. FIFA rolled out a Gold Carpet before kickoff, and the names who walked it read like a casting director went on a bender.
Tom Cruise showed up, met Shakira before the match, and then participated in the opening ceremony — because apparently one guy who hangs off airplanes for a living wasn’t going to sit through a pregame handshake line like everybody else. Matt Damon, fresh off the release of “Odysseus,” was in the building. Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner, regulars at the NBA Finals, made the trip. Jon Hamm walked the carpet. Kevin Hart popped over from Fanatics Fest the day before.
The sports world sent its own delegation. Knicks teammates Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns — both fresh off an NBA championship — appeared with their partners. Victor Wembanyama, who watched the Knicks win in June, took in another coronation from the stands. James Harden, still a free agent while the Cavaliers wait on LeBron James’ decision, was spotted enjoying his summer. Rob Gronkowski, no stranger to Fox’s broadcast properties, made the short list. Lindsey Vonn and Olympic figure skater Ilia Malinin rounded out the athletic contingent.
WWE’s Roman Reigns brought his daughter Joelle Anoa’i. Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart didn’t have to travel — the game was in his home stadium — and he picked Spain on FIFA’s broadcast. YouTube’s Mr. Beast arrived with fiancée Thea Booysen. Pharrell Williams was on hand. And President Donald Trump attended alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, with Infantino indicating Trump would help present the trophy to the winning team.
Nineteen-dollar stadium beer and a president handing out hardware. They don’t do these things small anymore.
Outside the stadium, the scene was its own animal. Argentina supporters packed the gates hours before kickoff, waving the large banners and flags known as “trapos” — the same word that gives their signature stadium song its name. “La Cumbia de los Trapos” by Yerba Brava, a staple since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, echoed through the parking lots. “Muchachos,” Argentina’s anthem from that 2022 run, could still be heard among the crowds. One fan wore a mask resembling Messi. Another sported an outfit featuring the viral photo of Messi with baby Lamine Yamal — the image that circled the internet when the two nations’ intertwined storylines became clear. A dog wore an Argentina jersey. Someone in an Indonesia kit smiled for a camera, because why not.
Spain’s supporters were fewer but visible, posing for photos in red and gold before filing into a stadium that, for one afternoon, held just about everybody who mattered.
- The Sporting News via Yahoo Sports — Celebrities at World Cup final
- The Guardian — The 2026 World Cup final: Spain v Argentina in pictures
- NorthJersey.com via Yahoo Sports — What song do Argentina fans sing at World Cup games?