Дэлхийн аваргын шигшээ тоглолтын одод

The celebrity cutaway in sports games is seen by some as an affront to the game’s purity, a direct offense to smart fans everywhere.

Others (spoiler: me) are big fans of cramming as many Leonardo DiCaprio ‘pointing meme’ moments into their lives as possible, and therefore have zero problem with a little A-list moment. Let us eat cake!

And, no offense, but when the World Cup final is as uneventful as this one was over 120 minutes… a little zap of “Was that Beyonce!??” — or “Did that commentator just say ‘AKA Rocky’?” — never hurt anybody.

With this final being played in New Jersey, just over the Hudson River from New York City, the celebrities were out in force. There was even a ‘red carpet’ for those famous faces arriving at the game.

So, without further ado, here are just some of the best celebrity cameos we saw at this final — excluding those artists (Shakira, Madonna, Post Malone) who were involved in the various ceremonies.

Carlos Alcaraz and Hoyeon

The Spanish tennis superstar and Squid Games actress were part of the opening ceremony, presenting the World Cup trophy in a Louis Vuitton trophy trunk.

Tom Cruise

The superstar gave a speech to open the match. Presumably, this fits in with his press tour promoting the Oscar-seeking film Digger this fall.

Here’s a snippet of his very Maverick-channeling speech: “So 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. This is greatness.”

Some will have seen that as rousing, others corny.

Tom Cruise pre-match (Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Elmo and Cookie Monster

The Sesame Street characters have become fan favorites during this World Cup, particularly after an Elmo tweet during the NBA Finals that drew amusing backlash. “Elmo hopes both teams have fun!,” he said during the New York Knicks’ series against the San Antonio Spurs. (Elmo is famously from New York, as are all the Sesame Street characters.)

Elmo then released an “apology”-type video for the World Cup, saying, “Elmo wants Team USA to win… but Elmo loves everybody. Don’t make this a thing.”

The Cookie Monster account posted, “Elmo teach me not to eat trophy. Me teach Elmo to pick a team.”

Elmo made a new friend at the game!! ⚽ Mr. Tom Cruise!!! pic.twitter.com/lywyY8BRGJ

— Elmo (@elmo) July 19, 2026

Spain’s Royal Family

King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía traveled to MetLife and attended the match to cheer on the eventual champions.

Argentina’s President Javier Milei was NOT there — thanks to classic sports superstition. He reportedly wanted to watch where he had been watching all the other wins. Superstition disproven, I guess?

King Felipe VI hands Lamine Yamal the World Cup trophy (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

U.S. President Donald Trump

In attendance behind bullet-proof glass with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Trump presented the trophy to Spain at the end of the tournament and was the protagonist of a curious ‘photobomb’ moment during the celebrations.

President Donald Trump, bottom right, during Spain’s trophy celebrations (Elsa/Getty Images)

Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez

The Spanish PM was photographed shaking hands with Trump at the final. As per The New York Times before the game: “Mr. Trump, who could possibly be handing the Spanish team a trophy at the end of the night, has repeatedly insulted and threatened Spain, calling its leaders ‘bad people’ and the country a ‘horror show.’”

Pedro Sanchez, right, shakes hands with Donald Trump (Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images)

Beyoncé and Jay-Z

Otherwise known as America’s Royal Family. Jay-Z was, as usual, sporting a New York Yankees hat. The two are fresh off a massive show at Yankee Stadium.

Jay-Z and Beyoncé spotted at the stadium (Charly Triballeau/ AFP via Getty Images)

Javier Bardem

The Spanish actor has attended several games this World Cup, often with his wife Penelope Cruz, and enjoyed Spain’s win here, too.

(Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images)

Pharrell Williams

The musician, producer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams was notably in attendance — though the biggest chat about his cameo was how BBC commentator Guy Mowbray mistook him for A$AP Rocky. “I think that’s AKA Rocky, or A$AP Rocky, sorry.” Wrong on both counts!

Speaking of …

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky

Will the real A$AP Rocky please stand up! He really was in attendance, with global pop icon Rihanna. The two are partners and have three children together

Rihanna at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final today. pic.twitter.com/QR41aTKrF5

— Rihanna Gallery (@Galerie_Rihanna) July 19, 2026

Matt Damon

Matt Damon was in attendance with his Argentinian wife Luciana Barroso. He told Seth Meyers that when Argentina clinched their spot in the final, their reaction was so rambunctious, “We scared the sh*t out of our dogs.” He joked that he doesn’t come close to Messi in his household.

P.S. In other commentary flubs today, the Fox broadcast misidentified Damon as… Brad Pitt.

(Siegfried Anthony/Variety via Getty Images)

Pau Gasol

Spanish former professional NBA player is a six-time NBA All-Star and a four-time All-NBA team selection. Gasol was in the stands to cheer on his national team.

CAMPEONES DEL MUNDO 🏆🌎 pic.twitter.com/StbR9SUtU7

— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) July 19, 2026

Mike Tyson

Global icon and former boxer Mike Tyson was there to support Argentina. He has expressed his support before, driven by his close friendship with the late soccer legend Diego Maradona and his admiration for Messi.

Mike Tyson está en la final y va… con Argentina! pic.twitter.com/3cngZoMRTG

— Siro López (@sirolopez) July 19, 2026

Victor Wembanyama

The French NBA superstar told the press at Fanatics Fest that he wasn’t supporting either team in the final: “I don’t know. I like neither teams. I don’t like either. I mean, I like Messi and Yamal, and I hope they have great games. Messi is my GOAT. But unfortunately, they play on teams I hate. So, I hope nobody wins.”

(Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Global Citizen)

David and Victoria Beckham

Is there a more iconic soccer couple? We’ll wait.

(Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Serena Williams

GOAT watching GOAT. Serena Williams was in a VIP box watching Lionel Messi.

🫡 Grand Slam champs Serena Williams & Carlos Alcaraz locked in.#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/XZsshdFiSU

— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 19, 2026

Tom Brady

Ah, another GOAT!

Kevin Hart

Kevin Hart watched Messi play after meeting up with him at Fanatics Fest the previous day, just over the Hudson River from where the final was played. He even handed out the player of the match award to Spain goalscorer Ferran Torres.

(Alex Pantling – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Martha Stewart

American businesswoman Stewart has become a fixture at the Olympics alongside her friend and collaborator Snoop Dogg and seemed to be in the sporting spirit here, too!

Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union

The sporting royalty couple attended together.

Union has personal ties to the game since playing college soccer at the University of Nebraska and her minority ownership in Angel City FC, along with the couple’s daughter Kaavia.

(Arturo Holmes – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Thea Booysen and MrBeast

Booysen is a South African-American YouTuber and Twitch streamer, and MrBeast is, well… MrBeast. Real name Jimmy Donaldson, he is known as the most successful YouTuber ever.

(Siegfried Anthony/Variety via Getty Images)

Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek

NFL legend “Gronk” attended with his partner Camille Kostek, a model and presenter.

Gronk’s former teammate Julian Edelman said during the tournament that he thinks Norway’s Erling Haaland and Gronk are similar icons.

(Arturo Holmes – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner

Chalamet is a regular at Knicks games and has become a huge part of the online culture around the NBA Finals. Born in New York to French parents, he supports the French national team. He was there with girlfriend and entertainment entrepreneur Kylie Jenner.

(Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images)

Dua Lipa and Callum Turner

British pop star Dua Lipa attended with her new husband, the actor Callum Turner.

After she attended an England win this tournament, spectators have been jokingly referring to her as a reverse of the “Jagger Jinx” where any team Mick Jagger shows up to support ends up losing.

I guess she was supporting Spain?

LINDOS! Dua Lipa e Callum Turner no Metlife Stadium assistindo a final da Copa do Mundo. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/umAC3SgoQN

— Dua Lipa Brasil (@dualipabrasil) July 19, 2026

Mick Jagger

Based on the aforementioned “Jagger Jinx,” should we assume he was supporting Argentina? Jagger went viral during England’s loss to Argentina for his disapproving look in the stands, so perhaps not.

Speaking of curses…

(Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Global Citizen)

Richard Gere

Gere attended with his wife Alejandra Silva and son. Silva is Spanish and the family was seen celebrating the win.

(Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Will Ferrell

Ferrell showed up to the final in character — of course. He was dressed as his new Netflix show character Lonnie ‘The Hawk’ Hawkins from a comedy about golf.

Adrien Brody

The two-time Oscar winner was caught on camera during one of those quick celebrity cutaways.

Anya Taylor-Joy and Malcolm McRae

The Argentine-American actress was in the crowd with her husband, musician and actor Malcolm McRae.

(Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)