Historic Halftime Show Announced for 2026 FIFA World Cup Final

NEW YORK, NY – FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced this week that the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will include a halftime show, marking the first time in history that such an event will take place during the tournament. The final is scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium, which will be referred to as New York New Jersey Stadium during the event.

Infantino broke the news at a World Cup event in Dallas, declaring, “I can confirm the first ever halftime show at a 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.”

To assist in the production of the halftime show, FIFA has enlisted the help of Coldplay member Chris Martin and manager Phil Harvey, who will curate a list of potential performers. The 15-minute rest period traditionally allotted at halftime will still occur, but it remains unclear whether this duration will be extended to accommodate the anticipated spectacle.

While past World Cups have not featured halftime performances, such shows have been commonplace at other major sporting events, including the Super Bowl. Some of the most noteworthy halftime shows have included performances by artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, and The Weeknd.

As the 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the competition will also showcase an expanded format, featuring 48 national teams and a total of 104 matches. The tournament will kick off with the opening match on June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Additionally, Infantino revealed plans for a “Times Square takeover” in New York City, coinciding with both the final and the third-place playoff match. “We also spoke about how FIFA will takeover Times Square for the final weekend of the FIFA World Cup in 2026, during both the bronze final match and final,” Infantino said.

As of now, FIFA has not disclosed any further details regarding the halftime performances, but the involvement of Coldplay suggests that the event may attract significant musical talent.