FIFA President Gianni Infantino has officially confirmed a major change to the World Cup final in 2026: for the first time in the tournament's history, there will be a halftime show.
The highly anticipated event will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, 2026, and will mark the conclusion of the first-ever 48-team World Cup.
This historic halftime performance will be organized in collaboration with advocacy group Global Citizen, with British band Coldplay playing a role in selecting the artists.
While the exact details of Coldplay's involvement remain unclear, their involvement in the 2016 Super Bowl halftime show suggests that they could bring some big names to perform at the event.
Traditionally, soccer halftime breaks are limited to 15 minutes, and FIFA has yet to confirm whether they will extend this break to accommodate the performance.
On March 5, Infantino took to Instagram to share the exciting news, writing: "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."
Additionally, Infantino revealed that FIFA will take over a vibrant Times Square for the final weekend of the World Cup in 2026, during both the bronze final and the grand finale.
This development represents a significant shift for the World Cup, which has historically featured musical acts before matches but never during the game itself.
The 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the first World Cup to feature such an in-game spectacle.
With a total of 104 matches scheduled across the three host nations, the 2026 World Cup is set to be an unforgettable event, and the halftime show at the final promises to be a major highlight.
Who do you think will take the stage for the halftime show? Are you excited about this new addition to the World Cup?
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