The 2026 World Cup ended with a bang, with Spain earning a 1-0 win over Argentina for their second title. But before the game itself, FIFA and the United States decided to start it on a (slightly baffling) note.
The final match in New York New Jersey Stadium kicked off with a lengthy closing ceremony. After a rendition of the U.S. national anthem sung by Jennifer Hudson, the World Cup trophy was presented in an unlikely place: a specialized Louis Vuitton trunk.
Carlos Alcaraz and Hoyeon present the Louis Vuitton trophy trunk. (Photo by Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
(Michael Regan – FIFA via Getty Images)
Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz and South Korean actress Jung Ho-Yeon carried out the trunk, resting it on a pedestal and opening it to reveal the iconic golden trophy.
The ceremony then moved to a speech from Tom Cruise, who stood solo in all-black clothing to earnestly speak about the importance of the World Cup and the beautiful game.
“More than 30 days ago, 48 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 said.
You get the idea.
The series of events raises many questions. It’s unclear why the French luxury brand was seemingly commissioned to make a trophy case, or why Cruise — whose pre-taped segment for Fox was sponsored by his new movie, “Digger” — was the one tapped to talk about soccer.
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It also raises questions about the cost, though given the sky-high prices for the event, it’s possible that FIFA decided to spare no expense for the festivities.
Either way, it’s textbook FIFA: a little weird, and a little too over the top. Most fans were probably relieved when the soccer finally started.
