Here's the schedule of events for the World Cup final in New Jersey

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will conclude July 19 with its championship match of Spain vs. Argentina at MetLife Stadium featuring an unprecedented halftime entertainment lineup, heightened security, major transportation changes and the participation of President Donald Trump in the trophy presentation.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sunday, with thousands of fans expected to begin arriving hours earlier for the first World Cup final hosted in New Jersey.

Here's the schedule and what to expect that day.

NJ Transit expands service for championship match

Transportation agencies are implementing expanded operations to accommodate what is expected to be the largest crowd of the tournament.

NJ Transit train service to the stadium will begin at 10:30 a.m., 30 minutes earlier than during previous FIFA World Cup matches.

Official shuttle buses will operate continuously from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., while stadium parking lots will open at 10 a.m.

Officials are also warning fans traveling through New York Penn Station that portions of the station will be restricted to spectators with World Cup tickets for approximately four hours before kickoff, and travelers are encouraged to allow extra time.

Gates open four hours before kickoff

Stadium gates will open at 11 a.m., giving spectators ample time to enter before pregame festivities begin.

A closing ceremony will start approximately 90 minutes before kickoff, around 1:30 p.m., and is expected to feature celebrity performances and appearances.

Scheduled participants include Robbie Williams, Tom Cruise, Nicole Scherzinger and Jennifer Hudson, who is expected to perform the U.S. national anthem.

FIFA introduces Super Bowl-style halftime show

For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, the championship match will include an expanded halftime entertainment spectacle modeled after the NFL’s Super Bowl halftime show.

The performance is expected to begin at approximately 3:50 p.m., shortly after the first half concludes.

The halftime show will be co-headlined by Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS.

Additional performers are expected to include Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus, joined by members of Coldplay.

Trump to participate in trophy ceremony

President Donald Trump is expected to attend the World Cup final and participate in both the closing ceremonies and the postgame trophy presentation.

His role marks a departure from FIFA’s traditional protocol, in which the FIFA president alone presents the World Cup trophy to the winning captain.

Instead, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Trump are expected to jointly present the trophy to the championship team following the match.

The appearance comes as the United States prepares to host another major international sporting event, the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Championship concludes historic North American tournament

The final marks the culmination of the first men’s FIFA World Cup hosted by three countries, the United States, Canada and Mexico and the first tournament featuring 48 national teams.

MetLife Stadium was selected to host the championship match after serving as one of the tournament’s premier venues throughout the month-long competition.

Officials are urging fans to arrive early, use public transportation whenever possible and expect heightened security measures around the stadium and surrounding transportation hubs.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Here's the schedule of events for the World Cup final in New Jersey