By GB News (World News) | Created at 2025-03-05 18:06:08 | Updated at 2025-03-06 03:33:15
9 hours ago
FIFA has announced the first-ever halftime show for a World Cup final, set to take place at the 2026 tournament at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin will help FIFA "finalise the list of artists" who will perform on 19 July 2026.
"This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world," FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Instagram.
The move follows the entertainment model long established at the NFL's Super Bowl.
FIFA have brought in Coldplay's Chris Martin to curate the lineup for the halftime show
Reuters
Coldplay's Chris Martin and the band's manager Phil Harvey will be involved in curating the artist lineup for the groundbreaking event.
Infantino confirmed their role in the Super Bowl-style spectacle in his social media announcement.
While it remains unclear whether Coldplay themselves will perform, Martin and Harvey will be "working with [FIFA] to finalise the list of artists who will perform".
The show is being organised in conjunction with Global Citizen, according to reports.
Infantino also confirmed a "take over" in Times Square to take place over the final weekend of the tournament.
"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," he wrote.
The Times Square event will coincide with both the final and the third-place playoff match.
The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will be known as the New York New Jersey Stadium during the World Cup.
In football, half-time traditionally lasts 15 minutes, significantly shorter than the Super Bowl's extended break.
The World Cup final in 2026 will take place at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey
Reuters
FIFA has not yet confirmed whether this interval will be lengthened to accommodate the performance.
The Super Bowl half-time show typically lasts around 15 minutes, with teams spending roughly twice as long in the locker room compared to regular season games.
The NFL's showpiece events require elaborate stage set-ups to be assembled and dismantled during the break.
Champions League finals have featured pre-match shows rather than half-time entertainment.
Gianni Infantino has been desperate to bring in the halftime show
Reuters
Coldplay have previously performed at major sporting events, including the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony and before the 2011 Champions League final at Wembley.
Recent Champions League finals have featured artists like Lenny Kravitz, Dua Lipa, Camila Cabello and Alicia Keys in pre-match shows.
These performances have not always received positive responses from fans in attendance.
The 2026 World Cup will be primarily hosted in North America, with some matches also taking place in Canada and Mexico.
