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FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that the 2026 World Cup final will feature a half-time show inspired by American football’s Super Bowl.
The tournament – which will be the biggest in World Cup history as will feature 48 national teams, instead of 32 – will conclude at New Jersey ‘s 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium on July 19.
Writing on Instagram on Wednesday morning, Infantino said that ‘a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world’ will take place after the first 45 minutes of the game.
Infantino also revealed that British pop rock band Coldplay would be collaborating with FIFA to help attract and select the musical performers.
It is not currently clear whether the half-time interval will be elongated to accommodate the show.
Infantino’s message read: ‘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 artistes who will perform during the half time show, as well as at Times Square.’
The Super Bowl’s famous half-time show has grown remarkably from the first ever event in 1967. It now attracts more viewers than the game itself.
This year’s Super Bowl half-time show was headlined by Kendrick Lamar, with special guests including SZA, Samuel L. Jackson and Serena Williams.
Previous half-time shows have starred Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Beyonce, Madonna, Prince, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira.
Chris Martin, of British pop rock band Coldplay, will work with FIFA to select the performers
The USA has hosted a men’s FIFA World Cup once before, back in 1994. That tournament, which was won by Brazil, featured 24 teams and 52 matches, taking place across nine host cities.
In contrast, the 2026 tournament will feature 48 teams and 104 matches, taking place across 16 host cities and three nations.
Canada will host 13 matches – seven in Vancouver and six in Toronto – while 13 games will take place in Mexico, across Mexico City (five) Guadalajara (four) and Monterrey (four).
The other 78 matches – including the entire tournament from the quarter-finals onwards – will be hosted in the USA.
