Muppets, Donald Trump and Lego trophies: The top 10 weirdest moments from the World Cup final

Tom Cruise as World Cup hypeman

Much of the attention before Sunday’s final centred on the half-time show, but there was almost more build-up than football itself, with a World Cup closing ceremony taking place beforehand. While stars including Robbie Williams and Jennifer Hudson - the latter performing the US national anthem - were given top billing, the ceremony was somewhat marred by a strange monologue by actor Tom Cruise.

“So as we gather for one final chapter, let us celebrate a tournament that brought the world together,” he said, in remarkably tone-deaf comments given the many controversies that have followed this World Cup at every turn. “Let us celebrate each other. This is football. This is unity. This is greatness.” If you say so, Tom. The extended closing ceremony meant the final was delayed by six minutes.

Tom Cruise delivered a rabble-rousing speech (PA Wire)

IShowSpeed being there in general

The strange vibe of the closing ceremony continued with YouTuber and streamer IShowSpeed (real name Darren Watkins Jr.) performing his song ‘World Cup (Champions)’, followed by singers Post Malone and Swae Lee. No amount of pyrotechnics and razzle-dazzle could disguise the distinctly pre-recorded sound of the vocals, with plenty of observers making their feelings known on social media. “Speed out here with the worst lip-syncing performance of all time,” one wrote on X.

“I'm not gonna lie, I was dumb nervous,” the influencer admitted afterwards. “I couldn't even move my legs at some point.”

Justin Bieber killing the mood

Opinions on the Super Bowl-style half-time show were decidedly mixed, with a concert featuring Madonna, Shakira, BTS and more getting the verdict of “crap” from BBC pundit Wayne Rooney.

While the majority of the performances were upbeat and energetic - and for some, probably a welcome distraction from a pretty turgid 90 minutes of football before the drama of extra time - one man didn’t get the memo. Justin Bieber performed an acoustic guitar version of his song ‘Everything Hallelujah’, not exactly one of his greatest hits, and managed to send the MetLife Stadium to sleep.

Kermit and Miss Piggy stealing the show

The half-time interlude also featured a cameo from the Muppets, as every good half-time show should. Much to the bafflement of those watching the Muppets took to the stage alongside Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel, performing a version of The White Stripes’ hit ‘Seven Nation Army’.

Fifa had promised beforehand that the half-time show would take around 20 minutes but it wound up taking more than 27, delaying the second half and directly contravening footballing governing body Ifab’s rules on half-time breaks, which should “not exceed 15 minutes”.

The Muppets performed a rendition of 'Seven Nation Army' (Getty)

Fernandez clattering into Cubarsi

There was precious little of note about the actual football for much of the final, certainly in the original 90 minutes. But that all changed in injury time as Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez was sent off on a second yellow.

Fernandez picked up a daft first yellow for flinging himself to the ground after a gentle touch by Rodri, then reacting furiously as he wasn’t awarded a free-kick, waving his arm angrily in the direction of referee Slavko Vincic. Vincic booked him for dissent, with Fernandez risking greater punishment by applauding him sarcastically.

That happened in the 82nd minute; barely 10 minutes later the Chelsea player clattered into Spain’s Pau Cabarsi with an utterly wild challenge, leaving it late on his shin and sending him somersaulting into the air. It was a clear foul and clear yellow card, but Fernandez protested again, wagging his finger and demanding VAR review it. It took him a few minutes to eventually accept defeat and leave the pitch.

Cubarsi went flying after a late, reckless challenge by Fernandez (Getty)

Leandro Paredes losing his cool

Argentina did not cover themselves in glory in this final, playing dismal anti-football in a desperate attempt to keep Spain at bay and resorting to the dark arts to keep themselves in it, but they really disgraced themselves at the final whistle.

The defeated finalists sparked a melee as Nahuel Molina appeared to punch Spain captain Rodri in the stomach, leading to a war of words, which rapidly descended into a full-blown brawl. Argentina’s Leandro Paredes violently grabbed Eric Garcia by the throat before wrestling Gavi to the turf and pushing into the 21-year-old’s face while holding him by his substitute’s bib. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and his staff had to step in, in an embarrassing end to their tournament.

Leandro Paredes grabbed Eric Garcia by the throat before shoving Gavi (Reuters)

Messi trying to get Cucurella sent off

While Lionel Messi stayed out of the brawl at the final whistle, he had resorted to some desperate tactics himself earlier on. After Fernandez’s second yellow the Argentina squad surrounded referee Slavko Vincic to protest.

At one point Spain defender Marc Cucurella tried to speak to Messi, with the 39-year-old immediately sensing an opportunity to even the score by having him sent off for covering his mouth while they spoke. New rules at this World Cup mean players can be sent off for communicating with opposition while hiding their mouth, as was the case for Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron.

But Messi’s antics went down badly, with Vincic utterly unconvinced and ITV commentator Lee Dixon saying: “You shouldn’t be such a baby to try and get someone sent off for that, it’s ridiculous.”

Trump’s presence at the trophy ceremony

Donald Trump did his best to make the World Cup final, and the trophy ceremony in particular, all about him. There were audible boos when he and Fifa president Gianni Infantino made their way onto the pitch in New Jersey, while Argentina defender Cristian Romero snubbed a handshake with Trump as the US president handed out both sides’ medals.

Having had some practice at last summer’s Club World Cup, when Trump was front and centre of Chelsea’s trophy lift, he attempted to stand near the edge of the group of Spain players to make sure he featured in pictures of their triumph. Cue bizarre scenes as first Infantino and then Spain captain Rodri patiently tried to usher him out of the way, the president bumbling around like an unwanted guest at a party that won’t get the hint.

The official Spanish X account later posted a photo of the trophy lift which notably did not feature Trump at all.

🙌🏼🏆 LOS SUEÑOS SE CUMPLEN.#VamosEspaña | #CopaMundialFIFA pic.twitter.com/yBbtjvKmg2
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) July 19, 2026

Spain’s unusual replica World Cup trophies

The Americanisation of this World Cup final didn’t end with the half-time show: 30 members of the victorious Spanish team were also awarded rather garish Super Bowl-style championship rings, a tradition in some American sport including the NBA. Spain captain Rodri and head coach Luis de la Fuente received temporary versions on the day, with the 30 rings to be custom-fitted later down the line.

But the players were also presented with replicas of the World Cup trophy they had just lifted made entirely out of Lego, with the sets pre-built and handed out at the MetLife Stadium. Lego are one of Fifa’s commercial partners.

The official Lego website describes the sets, made up of 2,842 Lego pieces, as “official 1:1 detailed replica of world football’s ultimate prize” which “allow fans to bring home a golden piece of the tournament’s magic and display their passion for football”. Those wishing to display their passion for football in the same manner must cough up $199.99, or £159.99.

All the Spanish players given a lego trophy by Fifa pic.twitter.com/l64HVqvH5p

— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) July 20, 2026

One particularly gleeful fan

One fan seemed to be enjoying this final more than anyone else, including all the victorious Spain players: a man in a Mexico shirt surrounded by Argentina fans. He jubilantly brandished a red card at the mass of Argentina shirts around him, before whipping off his Mexico shirt to reveal a Spain shirt - complete with Lamine Yamal’s name and number - underneath, waving his original top round in the air to rile them up. To cover all bases, he also sported a half-and-half Spain and Argentina scarf, although that remained firmly on.