World Cup 2022 closing ceremony: Highlights of performances from Qatar as FIFA tournament comes to an end

David Suggs

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World Cup 2022 closing ceremony: Highlights of performances from Qatar as FIFA tournament comes to an end image

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar went out with a bang.

Much like the eye-popping showcase that was the tournament's opening ceremony, the tournament's closing festivities offered a lasting image to remember the passion surrounding the iconic competition.

The world's game was backdropped by a soundtrack that featured a variety of the globe's most popular artists. Many of those artists returned to take part in Sunday's ceremony.

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World Cup 2022 closing ceremony highlights

Davido was the main draw. The Nigerian superstar was the headline act of Sunday's festivities. And he put on a rather standout performance, donning glinting silver suit while performing his smash World Cup anthem, "Hayya Hayya."

Moroccan singer Manal played a pivotal role in the proceedings, as well — a welcome sight given the Atlas Lions' success over the course of the tournament.

He was far from the only high-profile star involved in Sunday's spectacular, though. Puerto Rican megastar Ozuna had a similarly glitzy showcase on the Lusail Stadium terrain. The two-time Latin Grammy Award winner was at the heart of an energetic dance ensemble, all while sporting a bright yellow outfit to match.

In all, it was an outpouring of song and dance the likes of which onlookers won't soon forget. Congolese MC Gims joined Davido, Manal, Ozuna and others on stage, rocking out the crowd with his brand of fresh French bars. The quartet was enveloped in streaks of yellow, red and orange light throughout the course of their performance.

Emirati artist Balqees put on a similar stunning showcase, showing out in a glimmering sequin dress. You can't go wrong with that.

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar has been one chocked full of entertainment on the pitch. Sunday's performers made sure to add their name to that legacy throughout the closing ceremonies.

What time is the World Cup closing ceremony?

  • Date: Sunday, December 18
  • Time: 16:00 local / 8:00 ET / 13:00 GMT / 00:00 (Dec. 19) AEDT

Customarily, the World Cup's closing ceremony occurs on the same day as the tournament's finale. That will be the case once more in 2022, with proceedings scheduled to start around 16:00 local time on Sunday, December 18, about two hours before the final kicks off.

Where is the World Cup closing ceremony?

The closing ceremony will be hosted at the site of the World Cup Final, Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar.

This is a change from the locale of the tournament's opening ceremony, Al Bayt Stadium.

Lusail Stadium is the largest of the World Cup grounds, holding a capacity of 80,000 people. Expect every seat in the arena to be packed — who wouldn't want to see Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe vie for the Jules Rimet Trophy?

MORE: What to know about World Cup 2022 stadiums

World Cup closing ceremony performers and artists

FIFA has yet to release the full lineup for the closing ceremony. However, we're privy to a few of the names expected to turn out for the spectacle.

Nigerian-American musician Davido is slated to headline the event and will perform "Hayya Hayya (Better Together)" one of the songs featured in this year's World Cup soundtrack.

Also touted to be involved is Indian actress/musician Nora Fatehi. Fatehi, who offered her vocals on "Light the Sky" from this year's World Cup soundtrack, is expected to perform a song in Hindi during the festivities.

MORE: How many people watch a World Cup final?

How to watch World Cup closing ceremony live

The 2022 World Cup closing ceremony is certain to reel in a wave of viewers across the globe. Here are some of the ways fans can follow along with the action from across the world. 

  Date Time TV Stream
USA Dec. 18 8:00 ET Fox, Telemundo  fuboTV, Fox Sports app,
Telemundo Deportes En Vivo 
Canada Dec. 18 8:00 ET CTV, TSN TSN app
UK Dec. 18 15:00 GMT BBC One BBC iPlayer,
BBC Sport Website
Australia Dec. 19 00:00 AEDT SBS SBS On Demand
New
Zealand		 Dec. 19 02:00 NZDT Sky Sport Sky Sport
India Dec. 18 18:30 IST Sports 18 Voot
Malaysia Dec. 18 21:00 MYT RTM, Astro Astro Go
Singapore Dec. 18 21:00 SGT Mediacorp Channel 5 StarHub TV+, IPTV,
Singtel TV
Hong Kong Dec. 18 21:00 HKT BeIN Sports, ITV Now TV, ViuTV

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.