When the Super Bowl takes place every year, the world watches on to witness the spectacle that is the halftime show that has become synonymous with the event. We’re yet to see this really take off in sports closer to home here in the UK, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino has now confirmed that the 2026 Men’s World Cup (which takes place in the US, Canada, and Mexico) final will have a halftime show for the first time ever.
Infantino today (March 5) confirmed the news after a discussion at the FIFA Commercial & Media Partners Convention in Dallas, Texas, and also announced that FIFA would be working with Coldplay to determine the acts that would play in the 15-minute slot between the two halves at the World Cup final on July 19, 2026 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Speaking on the halftime show news in a statement posted to Instagram, the FIFA President said: “I also want to thank Chris Martin and Phil Harvey of Coldplay, who will be working with us at FIFA to finalise the list of artists who will perform during the half time show, as well as at Times Square.”
Coldplay themselves know all about this kind of spectacle, having headlined the Super Bowl halftime show in 2016when Chris Martin & co. were joined on stage by the likes of Beyoncé and Bruno Mars.
There is no word yet on whether the performance(s) would mean an extension to the traditional half-time length of around 15 minutes at the World Cup final.
This year, the Super Bowl saw millions tune in and witness the halftime performance of Kendrick Lamar (and was the most-watched halftime show of all time), but the slot has featured a stack of iconic musicians taking the stage in the extended pause to the match, including Prince, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, The Rolling Stonesand many more.
There is no word on whether this will continue to be the case for matches going forward, though there will undoubtedly be speculation on what other sporting events, in both football and beyond, could see similar spectacles arriving at halftime in the bid to generate more viewers and further revenue prospects.
Coldplay will play 10 nights at Wembley Stadium later this year.
No date has been set for when the announcement for the halftime performers will be announced, but the World Cup final takes place on July 19, 2026.
