Tom Cruise joins FIFA World Cup Closing Ceremony lineup for 'Digger'
Synopsis
Tom Cruise used the FIFA World Cup Closing Ceremony stage to introduce the world to Digger Rockwell — an oil baron who ‘plays to dominate.’ With Alejandro G. Iñárritu directing and a cast that spans Riz Ahmed to Jesse Plemons, ‘Digger’ may be Cruise’s most unexpected bet yet — a dark comedy shot in VistaVision, arriving in Indian cinemas on 2 October 2026.
Key Takeaways
Tom Cruise is part of the FIFA World Cup Closing Ceremony lineup, alongside Robbie Williams , Nicole Scherzinger , IShowSpeed , and Jennifer Hudson .
Cruise used the occasion to promote his upcoming film 'Digger' , directed by Alejandro G.
He plays Digger Rockwell , an oil baron whose company may have triggered an ecological catastrophe threatening nuclear war.
The film was shot entirely in VistaVision and will be distributed by Warner Bros.
The cast includes Riz Ahmed , John Goodman , Sandra Hüller , Jesse Plemons , and Emma D’Arcy , among others. 'Digger' releases in cinemas and IMAX across India on 2 October 2026 .
Tom Cruise is set to appear at the Closing Ceremony of the ongoing FIFA World Cup, joining a star-studded global lineup as he promotes his upcoming film 'Digger'. The Hollywood actor features alongside performers including Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, IShowSpeed, and Jennifer Hudson in what promises to be a high-profile send-off for the tournament.
What Cruise Said in the Special Video
In a promotional video tied to the ceremony, Cruise drew a sharp parallel between football legends and his own on-screen persona. “You want to know what separates a legend from everybody else? Well, it ain’t luck. It ain’t even speed. Yeah, it’s control. The greats — Pele, Maradona, Cristiano, Messi — they don’t chase the ball. The ball answers to them,” he said.
He continued: “For me, Digger. I play with a much, much bigger ball, and I don’t play just to win, I play to dominate. See now we legends, we can make you believe just about anything. Even that gravity doesn’t exist. Ain’t that right, Maggie?” The remarks double as a character introduction for Digger Rockwell, the oil baron Cruise portrays in the film.
About the Film 'Digger'
Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu — the Academy Award-winning filmmaker behind Birdman and The Revenant — 'Digger' is described as a comedy of catastrophic proportions. Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, an oil baron whose company may have triggered an ecological catastrophe with the potential to spark a nuclear war. It marks one of his most unconventional roles to date, blending dark comedy with large-scale consequence.
The film’s ensemble cast includes Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Oscar nominee Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, Oscar nominee Jesse Plemons, Robert John Burke, Emma D’Arcy, Burn Gorman, and Sophie Wilde.
Production and Release Details
The film is produced by Iñárritu, Oscar nominee Mary Parent, Tom Cruise, and Michael Sharp. Executive producers include Joshua Grode, Sabina Berman, Alexander Dinelaris, Nicolás Giacobone, Jez Butterworth, and Emmanuel Lubezki. Notably, 'Digger' was shot entirely in VistaVision, a widescreen format rarely used in contemporary cinema, signalling a deliberate aesthetic ambition from Iñárritu.
Warner Bros. Pictures will distribute the film globally. It is scheduled to release in cinemas and IMAX across India on 2 October 2026.
What to Watch
Cruise’s appearance at the FIFA World Cup Closing Ceremony is a significant marketing moment — placing ‘Digger’ in front of a global audience of hundreds of millions ahead of its theatrical run. With Iñárritu at the helm and a release timed to India’s Gandhi Jayanti holiday weekend, the film is positioned as one of the bigger international titles of the October 2026 season.
Point of View
The other a maximalist auteur. A VistaVision dark comedy about nuclear-scale ecological catastrophe is not a Mission: Impossible sequel, and that unpredictability is either its greatest asset or its biggest commercial risk. The India release on Gandhi Jayanti weekend signals serious box-office ambition, but whether Cruise’s global fanbase will follow him into Iñárritu territory is the question the October numbers will answer.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Tom Cruise appearing at the FIFA World Cup Closing Ceremony?
Tom Cruise is part of the entertainment lineup for the FIFA World Cup Closing Ceremony, where he features in a special video promoting his upcoming film ‘Digger.’ He joins performers including Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, IShowSpeed, and Jennifer Hudson.
What is Tom Cruise’s film 'Digger' about?
‘Digger’ is a dark comedy directed by Academy Award-winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu. Cruise plays Digger Rockwell, an oil baron whose company may have triggered an ecological catastrophe with the potential to spark a nuclear war.
When does 'Digger' release in India?
‘Digger’ is scheduled to release in cinemas and IMAX across India on 2 October 2026, timed to the Gandhi Jayanti holiday weekend.
Who else stars in 'Digger' alongside Tom Cruise?
The film’s cast includes Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Oscar nominee Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, Oscar nominee Jesse Plemons, Robert John Burke, Emma D’Arcy, Burn Gorman, and Sophie Wilde.
What is VistaVision and why was 'Digger' shot in it?
VistaVision is a widescreen film format that was widely used in Hollywood in the 1950s and 1960s but is rarely employed in contemporary cinema. Director Alejandro G. Iñárritu chose to shoot ‘Digger’ entirely in VistaVision, signalling a distinctive visual approach for the film.
