PR expert explains why celebrities 'who know nothing about sports' are flocking to the World Cup final
PR expert explains why celebrities 'who know nothing about sports' are flocking to the World Cup final
Connor McCrorySat, July 18, 2026 at 9:00 AM UTC
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Hollywood stars are flocking to the World Cup final -Credit:Getty
The World Cup final between Argentina and Spain is shaping up to be one of the year’s biggest celebrity gatherings, drawing Hollywood actors, musicians, and business leaders who may be as interested in the spectacle as the soccer.
Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Channing Tatum, Issa Rae, and Jeff Bezos are among the famous faces spotted during the monthlong tournament across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. David Beckham, Ryan Reynolds, Drake, and Paris Hilton have also appeared in packed stadiums.
For celebrities, attending a major final offers more than a chance to watch Lionel Messi or Spain’s leading stars. It provides global exposure, access to exclusive hospitality suites, and an opportunity to be photographed at an event watched by millions. This comes after Victoria Beckham broke with a decades-long tradition and smiled at the World Cup, a viral moment captured on camera.
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"Half the celebrities in those suites probably could not explain the offside rule, but that is almost beside the point. Most of these guys know nothing about sports," an entertainment publicist told The Mirror US.
"The World Cup final is where sports, fashion, business, and celebrity all meet. Being photographed there tells the world that you are still important enough to be in the room."
David Beckham attended the England vs Argentina game -Credit:World Cup 2026 News Pool (WCNP)
Cruise attended the United States’ opening match against Paraguay in Los Angeles, sitting beside former Irish soccer coach Robbie Keane. Pitt later watched the United States play Turkey with his Fight Club co-star Edward Norton, while Colin Farrell sat nearby.
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Some stars have clear connections to the teams they supported. Beckham played for England’s national team from 1996 to 2009, while Reynolds co-owns Welsh club Wrexham and attended a Canadian match.
Rae, whose father is from Senegal, watched Senegal play France with her Senegalese husband, Louis Diame. Others adopted teams through friendships, family ties, or their work.
Tatum joined Norwegian supporters after appearing in a commercial with Norwegian striker Erling Haaland. Tom Brady attended a Brazil match after spending 13 years married to Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen.
Gerard Butler, a Scotsman, has also publicly supported England. He told Esquire in 2015, "I'm actually a fan of England, I've lived in London for many years and have always enjoyed watching the football teams."
Tom Cruise has been in attendance at many of the games -Credit:Getty
The final matchup at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium remains scheduled for Sunday, July 19, despite smoke from Canadian wildfires prompting health warnings across the region.
The National Weather Service said Friday, "Smoke still lingers today, especially towards the south, but it should be less intense than yesterday in our region. The smoke may thicken again overnight into Saturday morning."
Spain midfielder Mikel Merino said the players were focused on the match. "For a game that is as important as a World Cup final, you have to be able to shut out external factors as much as possible," Merino said.
"Luckily, we are being careful with every detail thanks to the federation and the organizers of the World Cup." Argentina is seeking a second straight championship, while Spain is attempting to win its first World Cup since 2010.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
