For the first time, the Fifa World Cup final will feature a halftime show, marking a major shift in how the biggest football match is presented.
The 2026 final, set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium, will include a music performance during the break in play, bringing the tournament closer to the spectacle long associated with the Super Bowl.
The show will be produced by Global Citizen, which says the aim is to combine music, sport and social impact. The organisation has an existing partnership with Fifa, focused on improving access to sport and education for children.
As part of that collaboration, the halftime show is intended to inspire action while reaching a global audience.
While pre-match performances at events like the UEFA Champions League final have become common, a World Cup final has never featured entertainment during the break itself. Traditionally, the halftime interval is short and focused on rest and tactical adjustments.
In American football, the Super Bowl extends its halftime break to allow for large-scale performances. Fifa appears to be borrowing from that model, though the World Cup break is expected to remain shorter.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino confirmed the development, writing, “I can confirm the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA World Cup final in New York, New Jersey. This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world.”
Chris Martin and Phil Harvey are set to support the production and help shape the artist line-up, which has not yet been announced.
Reaction online has been divided. Some fans questioned the need for change. “We really don’t need something just like this,” wrote @RoryPetzer.
Others raised concerns about the impact on the match itself. “Won’t that affect the output of the players in the second half?” asked @mr_impressive28.
There was also support for the idea. “Football meets a full-on concert that is about to be historic,” wrote @memesbaba69. “We’re in for a legendary final.”
