The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is set to introduce a Super Bowl-style half-time show for the first time in tournament history, with British band Coldplay playing a key role in selecting a lineup of artists for the spectacle.
The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will conclude on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. While pre-match performances have become common at major events like the UEFA Champions League final, the World Cup final has never previously featured a half-time show.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed the plans on Instagram, announcing that Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and the band’s manager Phil Harvey will help curate the list of performers for the 15-minute show.
"This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world," Infantino stated.
The announcement comes after Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl half-time performance in New Orleans earlier this year, which broke records with 133.5 million viewers across the U.S., surpassing Michael Jackson’s 1993 performance.
Super Bowl half-time shows typically run between 25 to 30 minutes to accommodate elaborate stage setups. However, FIFA has confirmed the World Cup final’s half-time show will adhere to the 15-minute break standard.
With Coldplay’s involvement, speculation is already mounting over which global superstars might take the stage for this historic moment in football and entertainment history.