FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced that the 2026 World Cup final will feature a Super Bowl-style halftime show, marking the first time such an event will be incorporated into the tournament's climax. The final is scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Infantino confirmed the development on Instagram, stating, "I can confirm the first ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final in New York New Jersey, in association with Global Citizen. This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world."
British band Coldplay's Chris Martin and Phil Harvey are collaborating with FIFA to curate the list of artists for the halftime performance. Infantino expressed gratitude towards them, saying, "I also want to thank Chris Martin and Phil Harvey of Coldplay, who will be working with us at FIFA to finalize the list of artists who will perform during the halftime show, as well as at Times Square."
Traditionally, the World Cup final has not included a halftime show, making this initiative a significant shift inspired by the NFL's Super Bowl, renowned for its elaborate halftime performances. Implementing such a show within the standard 15-minute halftime interval presents logistical challenges, as any extension would require approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB).
In addition to the halftime show, FIFA plans to "take over" New York City's Times Square during the final weekend of the tournament, hosting events coinciding with both the third-place play-off and the final match. Infantino highlighted this initiative, stating, "We also spoke about how FIFA will take over Times Square for the final weekend of the FIFA World Cup in 2026, during both the bronze final match and final."
The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, featuring an expanded format with 104 matches, up from the previous 64, to accommodate a new round of elimination.
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