The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup final in the United States is set to break tradition by introducing a Super Bowl-style halftime show, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed. This marks a significant departure from the conventional halftime structure of football, where the break lasts only 15 minutes.
MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, officially branded as New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament, will host the final on July 19, 2026. Infantino announced via Instagram that a lineup of artists will perform during the match's halftime interval.
"I can confirm the first ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final in New York New Jersey," Infantino stated.
An Entertainment Spectacle on the Global Stage
The FIFA president emphasized the magnitude of the event, calling it "a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world." However, FIFA has yet to clarify whether the halftime duration will be extended to accommodate the performances.
In past Super Bowl halftime shows, headlining artists such as Usher, Rihanna, Snoop Dogg, and The Weeknd have captivated global audiences. This year, Kendrick Lamar led the halftime entertainment for the Super Bowl showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans. Unlike the Super Bowl, which allows up to 30 minutes for halftime due to staging logistics, football’s traditional halftime is much shorter, raising questions about how FIFA will manage the show.
Coldplay to Play a Key Role in Show Production
Infantino also revealed that Coldplay would assist FIFA in curating the halftime show and orchestrating a unique fan experience during the final weekend. The British band will help finalize the list of artists and oversee a FIFA-organized takeover of Times Square in New York City.
"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.
Times Square to Become a Football Festival Hub
The FIFA president described the Times Square event as an unparalleled celebration of football, coinciding with two of the tournament’s most crucial matches.
"These will be two incredible matches, featuring some of the best players in the world, and what better way to celebrate them than in the historic Times Square in New York City," he added.
Infantino expressed gratitude to Coldplay members Chris Martin and Phil Harvey for their involvement in the project, highlighting their contributions to the halftime show and the grand-scale festivities in Times Square.
With FIFA taking bold steps to enhance the entertainment quotient of the World Cup final, fans worldwide can expect a spectacle unlike any seen before on football’s biggest stage.
