The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup Final is almost here, but not everyone is thrilled with the pregame show. As Spain and Argentina get ready to battle at MetLife Stadium on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, fans watching the closing ceremony were left scratching their heads—and not in a good way.
The ceremony featured popular streamer IShowSpeed, known for his passionate support of Cristiano Ronaldo, performing an original song. But the 21-year-old's act didn't go over well with many viewers. Social media erupted with complaints, questioning why FIFA chose a streamer for such a high-profile moment.
“Why should speed be at the world cup final singing in the first place??? At least his idol doesn't make final,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter). Another added, “I don't know what's going on or who this is or why we thought we should have this represent us to the rest of the world.” A third chimed in, “I legitimately have never heard of this person.”
The backlash came just days after fans faced hours-long lines and blamed FIFA for chaos at the final. Now, the closing ceremony is adding to the frustration for some ticket holders watching from home or at the stadium.
FIFA isn't skimping on entertainment, though. The halftime show during the Spain-Argentina match is expected to feature big names like Justin Bieber performing on the field. The organization is pulling out all the stops for the championship game, but Sunday's ceremony left many fans cold.
Argentina enters the final after a dramatic comeback win over England, while Spain rolled past France in a dominant performance. The stage is set for an epic showdown, but the early buzz is all about what went wrong before kickoff. For those who missed it, Lamine Yamal fired a warning shot at Lionel Messi ahead of the final, adding more intrigue to the match.
As the world tunes in to FOX for the 3 p.m. ET kickoff, the focus shifts from IShowSpeed's song to the action on the pitch. But for many fans, the memory of that awkward ceremony will linger. Messi's World Cup brilliance puts MLS in an unlikely spotlight, yet Sunday's pregame misstep has stolen some of the thunder.
Whether you loved or hated the performance, one thing is clear: the World Cup final is about more than just a game—it's a global spectacle, and sometimes, the spectacle stumbles. Argentina and Spain are set to deliver a thrilling finish, but the closing ceremony will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
