Meet IShowSpeed: The viral internet personality performing at the World Cup closing
The star-studded lineup for the 2026 Fifa World Cup Final’s closing ceremony has been announced, featuring famous performers like Tom Cruise, Nicole Scherzinger and Post Malone — but one name on the list might come as a surprise.
IShowSpeed, a 21-year-old influencer from Cincinnati, Ohio, will take the stage ahead of the final match Sunday at the New York New Jersey Stadium alongside Scherzinger, Malone, Robbie Williams and Italian singer Laura Pausini. Jennifer Hudson will perform the U.S. national anthem, while Cruise is slated to make a special appearance.
But while the other headliners are known performers with experience in the entertainment industry, Speed is mostly famous for his online presence and viral videos.
The contrast raises some questions about the internet personality’s background, as well as his plans for the massive show, which is estimated to bring in 1.5 billion viewers globally.
Read on for answers to your questions about IShowSpeed.
Who is IShowSpeed?
Born Darren Watkins Jr., Speed is an online streamer known for his high-energy personality, viral stunts and gaming content. If you don’t recognize him from reaction memes or clips on TikTok, you might know him from his music career, his frequent celebrity collaborations or his WWE Wrestlemania debut earlier this year.
Before the brand deals and fame, Speed got his start as a hyper preteen in the midwest. He was given the nickname Speed because he was fast, he told Dazed magazine in June 2024. He decided to use it as his gamertag at the age of 12.
He registered the YouTube channel IShowSpeed in 2016 and only occasionally posted gaming content. He began livestreaming regularly at the age of 15, often broadcasting games like NBA 2K and Fortnite.
It wasn’t until 2021 that Speed began to grow a following after clips of his outbursts — often aggressive and chaotic — during livestreams went viral as memes on TikTok.
At the time of writing, Speed has more than 57 million subscribers on YouTube, 53 million followers on TikTok, 52 million followers on Instagram and 5 million followers on Twitch. He won the 2022 Streamy Award for Breakout Streamer and the 2023 Streamy for Variety Streamer.
His massive platform has sparked various side quests for Speed, including livestream tours on five continents last year, wrestling in WWE events and meeting his idol Cristiano Ronaldo.
He has also released several songs in his budding music career, including two songs dedicated to the World Cup: the 2022 single “World Cup” and 2026 hit “World Cup (Champions).” The latter has a music video that garnered more than 90 million views within just one month of its release.
What will IShowSpeed do during the closing ceremony?
IShowSpeed said in a livestream Tuesday that Fifa called him up and asked him to perform “World Cup (Champions)” at the closing ceremony.
“They told me they heard the song and wanted me to perform at the World Cup final,” he said during the stream, adding, “At first I thought it was a prank call.”
He told his viewers, “I think out of everything I’ve done, I think me performing at the World Cup final is probably one of my most craziest achievements.”
After the song was released June 1, Speed publicly tagged Fifa on social media and asked them to consider making the song the Cup’s official anthem, to which the organization responded, “We will be in touch.”
The reply went viral and two days later, the song was added to the World Cup’s official track list for the Fifa World Cup 2026 Official Album.
Details about Speed’s performance of his song, which begins by calling out all 48 teams that played in this year’s tournament, remain a mystery — though fans can be almost certain that the streamer will land one of his signature moves by doing a backflip.
How has IShowSpeed already been involved in the World Cup?
Speed, a known soccer fan, started a series of livestreams from various locations at the 2026 Fifa World Cup in June. He also partnered with Fifa, Fox Sports and YouTube to host live broadcasts of certain games for viewers in the U.S.
While Speed was livestreaming the July 3 match between Argentina and Cape Verde, an Argentina fan was caught on camera making a racist comment toward the streamer, which prompted an investigation by Fifa.
“Fifa strongly condemns racism, hate and discrimination in all forms. These actions have no place in football, at the FIFA World Cup, or anywhere in society,” FIFA said in a statement July 7. “Fifa was made aware of an incident involving a supporter and IShowSpeed at Miami Stadium during the Argentina vs Cabo Verde match on 3 July 2026 and immediately initiated an investigation.
“The Fifa World Cup is a celebration of unity, diversity and respect. It brings together people, cultures and communities from around the world, and anyone who acts in a manner that undermines these values is not welcome in our game.”
Speed has not commented on the investigation.
How do I watch IShowSpeed’s performance?
Speed will perform at the closing ceremony, which starts at 1:30 p.m. local time at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Fifa encouraged ticketholders to arrive early, promising that fans “will have an active role to play in the show.”
Sunday’s final will also bring the tournament’s first halftime show, which will feature Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS.
