2026 World Cup Final to Feature Halftime Show for the First Time
For the first time in history, the FIFA World Cup final will include a halftime show, as confirmed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The highly anticipated match, set to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, 2026, will mark a break from tradition in the tournament’s nearly century-long history.
Speaking at a World Cup event in Dallas, Infantino officially announced the addition of the halftime performance. “I can confirm the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA World Cup final in New York New Jersey, in association with Global Citizen,” he stated in an Instagram post on Wednesday. “This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show worthy of the biggest sporting event in the world.”
FIFA is collaborating with advocacy group Global Citizen and British band Coldplay to curate the show. While Infantino did not confirm whether Coldplay would perform at the event, he mentioned that the group would assist in assembling a lineup of artists for the spectacle.
Traditionally, soccer’s official regulations—outlined by the International Football Association Board—stipulate that halftime should not exceed 15 minutes. FIFA has not yet clarified whether this rule will be adjusted to accommodate the performance, as is customary with Super Bowl halftime shows.
Although World Cup finals have never featured halftime entertainment, major soccer events have previously incorporated musical performances. The Champions League final often includes pre-match entertainment, with artists such as Lenny Kravitz performing at Wembley Stadium before last year’s final. However, past experiences, like Camila Cabello’s 2022 Champions League final performance being drowned out by fans, highlight the challenges of integrating music into football’s biggest stages.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will begin on June 11 at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca. With the tournament expanding to 48 teams and featuring 104 matches, FIFA is also planning a large-scale takeover of Times Square in New York City for both the third-place playoff and the final.