Sports world reacts to Tom Cruise's cameo before World Cup final between Spain, Argentina

That's a great message... but should Cruise be the one delivering it? Multiple sportswriters felt the actor didn't have to give a speech that had little to do with the contest. 

"Do we really need Tom Cruise doing this right now?" Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post wrote on X.

Front Office Sports' Margaret Fleming echoed that sentiment while sharing an in-stadium view of Cruise's speech.

This isn't the first time Cruise has appeared at a global sporting event. In 2024, he performed a stunt during the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics to receive the flag and usher in the transition of the Summer Games to Los Angeles in 2028. But again, why is it Cruise who always seems to be representing the United States? Comedian Jared Freid asked a similar question on X. 

Cruise is certainly a curious choice to continue to represent the United States on international sporting stages. But after his movies have grossed over $13B at the box office, he probably feels he can do whatever he wants and doesn't care if a few users on social media are poking fun at him.