FIFA announced that the 2026 World Cup final will feature a halftime show, mirroring the Super Bowl format. FIFA president Gianni Infantino revealed this historic change on Instagram, emphasizing its significance for the tournament. Coldplay’s Chris Martin and manager Phil Harvey are assisting in selecting performers. The usual halftime duration is just 15 minutes, traditionally involving pitch maintenance; it’s unclear if adjustments will be made for the show. The 2022 final between Argentina and France drew 1.5 billion viewers, highlighting the potential global impact of this new feature in the World Cup final.
Fireworks erupt following Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Lusail City, Qatar.
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Do two major halftimes equal a full time?
The FIFA World Cup plans to borrow a strategy from the Super Bowl by announcing this week that its final match in 2026, set to occur at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey (referred to as New York New Jersey Stadium during the tournament), will feature a halftime show.
Three key points:
- The president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, disclosed this week in an Instagram update that he could “confirm the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA World Cup final,” describing it as “a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a performance fitting for the largest sporting event globally.”
- In collaboration with the new show, FIFA has recruited Coldplay’s Chris Martin and manager Phil Harvey to assist in narrowing down the list of potential performers for the occasion.
- The halftime duration for the World Cup final typically lasts only 15 minutes, during which time the field is watered. It’s unclear whether this timeframe will be extended or if other adjustments will be made to accommodate a performance. NPR contacted FIFA for comments but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
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The impact of a halftime show
If you’ve been following along, you may recall the buzz surrounding Kendrick Lamar’s well-received 2025 Super Bowl halftime performance.
However, that performance isn’t the only mid-game act that has sparked significant pop culture conversations and controversies.
A performance that garners worldwide attention could elevate discussions to an entirely new level. FIFA reports that the 2022 final, featuring Argentina and France, attracted an astonishing 1.5 billion viewers.
Yet, as we anticipate the future, let’s not forget our past, for “Waka Waka” remains unforgettable.
Explore more with NPR:
- For a recap of this year’s Super Bowl halftime show (and its drama), tune into our coverage from February.
- Want additional content? The Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast offers insights on the trendiest new movies, TV shows, music, books, video games, and more, five days a week.