The pre-match production reportedly ran beyond its scheduled time, delaying kick-off by six minutes. Jennifer Hudson performed the United States anthem, while Robbie Williams also featured and Cruise addressed the crowd on the pitch.
The entertainment-heavy approach fits the modern World Cup, where finals are designed as worldwide television events rather than purely sporting occasions. But the choice of anthem created a sharper question: was the ceremony celebrating the tournament’s host nation, or the two teams about to play for the title?
Some viewers reportedly felt the decision lacked a clear sporting explanation. The United States had no role in the Spain-Argentina contest, and critics also invoked Mexico and Canada, the other co-hosts, when questioning why their anthems were not included.
One reaction, attributed to ChallengeFaz, reportedly dismissed the presentation as “circo”. That response captures the tension facing organisers: spectacle can broaden a final’s appeal, but it can also overshadow the match itself when the symbolism appears disconnected from the teams on the field.
Cruise’s speech offered an idealistic defence of football as “a language spoken without words” and a force capable of turning strangers into friends. That sentiment is difficult to dispute. The challenge is ensuring the ceremony expresses unity without leaving supporters wondering whose occasion they are watching.
Future finals will likely continue to feature major entertainers and celebrity appearances. The next storyline will be whether organisers can keep that global ambition while giving the competing nations - and the football itself - the clearest place in the spotlight.