New York, USA — For the first time in history, the FIFA World Cup final will feature a halftime show, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced.
The landmark event will take place during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026, as part of a historic entertainment initiative.
Speaking at a World Cup event in Dallas, Infantino confirmed that the halftime show will be produced in collaboration with Global Citizen and British music group Coldplay.
“This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world,” Infantino stated in an Instagram post on Wednesday.
While Coldplay, known for their 2016 Super Bowl halftime performance, will play a role in curating the artist lineup, it remains unclear whether the band itself will perform at the event.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) mandates a 15-minute halftime break in official matches, but FIFA has not specified whether the duration will be extended to accommodate the performance, similar to Super Bowl halftime shows.
Although FIFA has never hosted a halftime show during a World Cup final, football has featured high-profile musical performances in other major competitions. Past Champions League finals have included pre-match entertainment, such as Lenny Kravitz at Wembley Stadium in 2023.
Beyond the halftime show, Infantino also announced a takeover of New York’s Times Square for both the third-place playoff and the final, further elevating the spectacle surrounding the tournament’s conclusion.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will kick off at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, 2026. The tournament’s expanded format will feature 104 matches, accommodating 48 teams, up from the previous 32-nation structure.
By Taiwo Olatinwo | March 5, 2025
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