The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will feature a Super Bowl-style halftime show. The Super Bowl Halftime Show is a popular music event in the United States. Interestingly, the British rock band Coldplay has been given the responsibility of selecting the artists to perform at the event. FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced this on social media. The final of the tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, 2026. While pre-match performances have become common place at prestigious events such as the Champions League final, there has never been a half-time performance at a World Cup final. Halftime is about 15 minutes during the regular NFL season, but it is extended to 30 minutes during the Super Bowl to accommodate the halftime show. FIFA President Infantino said Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin and band manager Phil Harvey will help establish a group of artists to perform during the 15-minute break at next year’s final.

Infantino wrote on Instagram “I can confirm that for the first time, there will be a halftime show at the FIFA World Cup final in New York, New Jersey, this will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a fitting event for the world’s biggest sporting event.” Rapper Kendrick Lamar headlined this year’s Super Bowl halftime show in New Orleans, a performance watched by 133.5 million viewers across the United States. His performance surpassed the long-standing record set by Michael Jackson in 1993. Artists such as Rihanna, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga have also performed in recent years, with Coldplay holding the top spot in 2016. Coldplay is a British rock band formed in London in 1996. The band consists of lead singer and pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion.