The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is coming to an end as FIFA prepares to lower the curtain on its 22nd tournament. But when is the closing ceremony and who is scheduled to perform?
FIFA has kept its cards close to its chest regarding the closing ceremony for the first winter World Cup. It has so far only drip-fed information ahead of the event but some aspects are known. For one, the closing ceremony is the start of the build-up for the Qatar 2022 final.
Qatari organisers have scheduled a day’s worth of activities in Lusail to celebrate the first World Cup held in the Middle East. The main event then follows at the venue for the final, the Lusail Iconic Stadium, on December 18 after the 32 teams to qualify falls down to two.
When and where is the closing ceremony for the 2022 World Cup?
But as FIFA and Qatar scheduled the 2022 World Cup final for December 18, it also falls on Qatar National Day. It is a national holiday that commemorates Qatar’s unification in 1878. So, the celebrations in Lusail will begin before the World Cup final and continue long after.
FIFA and Qatar also agreed to host the 2022 World Cup final and the closing ceremony at the Lusail Iconic Stadium. It is the largest of the eight grounds used during the tournament with a capacity of 88,966. FIFA notes the stadium’s capacity can change for a specific tie.
What time will the closing ceremony for the 2022 World Cup start?
The closing ceremony for the 2022 Qatar World Cup kicks off at 13:00 GMT (16:00 AST) on Sunday, December 18. It precedes the final of the 22nd edition of FIFA’s quadrennial event at 15:00 GMT (18:00 AST). The final will take place exactly one week before Christmas Day.
FIFA has scheduled the opening ceremony to start two hours before the World Cup final to prepare the pitch sufficiently. Grounds workers will jump into action once the pitch is clear so it is ready for both teams in the final to warm up without issue and with plenty of time.
Nora Fatehi is among those due to perform at the Lusail Iconic Stadium
FIFA has sought to keep those due to perform at the 2022 World Cup closing ceremony to itself so far. But Nora Fatehi is among those that the Radio Times notes is confirmed to be taking to the stage. The Indian singer and dancer is scheduled to perform a song in Hindi.
Nigerian singer Davido is also on the bill after working with FIFA on one of its songs for the official World Cup soundtrack. The artist created Hayya Hayya, which translates to English as Happy Together, with Trinidad Cardona and Aisha and will perform the song in Lusail.
Congolese-French rapper Gims and award-winning Puerto Rican artist Ozuna also featured on the soundtrack with their song, Arhbo. They could take to the stage at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, as well, to perform the Billboard top 10 hit. Its name is Qatari slang for welcome.
The FIFA+ app offers worldwide coverage of the closing ceremony
The FIFA+ app and website offer its users the chance to watch the closing ceremony in full anywhere in the world. UK audiences should also be able to watch the celebrations via the BBC Sport website, BBC iPlayer and through the BBC’s red button option on December 18.
Coverage of the World Cup final does not start on either BBC One or ITV1 until 14:00 GMT. Both free-to-air public broadcast television networks will carry a 60-minute build-up show before kick-off at 15:00 GMT. The World Cup final will also be live through both networks.
The BBC provided coverage of the 2022 World Cup opening ceremony through its digital outlets only. Presenter and England icon Gary Lineker confirmed it was not shown on BBC One with the opening match due to a late time change and the channel’s schdueld output.
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