L-R: Infantino holding the World Cup trophy and Kendrick Lamar performing at Super Bowl
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed the introduction of a halftime show for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
In a detailed announcement on Instagram, Infantino stated that the final deserved “a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world.”
He explained that the halftime show would be similar to the Super Bowl halftime show in the National Football League (NFL).
The first-ever World Cup final halftime show will be staged in New Jersey in association with Global Citizen.
British pop group Coldplay, along with FIFA, will collaborate in selecting the artistes for the show.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted in the USA, Mexico and Canada with the final taking place at MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Meanwhile, the Super Bowl halftime show, which began in 1967, has evolved into one of the biggest entertainment spectacles and a dream stage for musicians.
The 2025 edition, headlined by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, recorded 133.5 million views, making it the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show in history.
Read Infantino’s full statement below:
‘It was my pleasure to speak with friends and colleagues attending the FIFA World Cup 26: FIFA Commercial & Media Partners Convention in Dallas, where we discussed some very exciting plans for the biggest-ever FIFA World Cup in 2026.
‘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.
‘We also spoke about how FIFA will take over Times Square for the final weekend of the FIFA World Cup in 2026, during both the bronze final match and final.
‘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?
‘My thanks of course, to Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans and his incredible team, for helping us put together these amazing shows. 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 halftime show, as well as at Times Square.’
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Meanwhile, watch the latest edition of Sports Check with the owner of Spintex Knights, Dr Opoku-Antwi below: