FIFA is gearing up for the 2026 World Cup in a groundbreaking way—by introducing its first-ever halftime show at the tournament’s final! Taking inspiration from the NFL’s Super Bowl spectacle, FIFA has enlisted Coldplay’s frontman Chris Martin and the band’s manager, Phil Harvey, to spearhead the selection of top-tier artists for this historic performance.
Essentially, Martin is set to play a role similar to Jay-Z’s in the NFL, curating a show that matches the magnitude of the world’s most-watched sporting event.
The exciting announcement came straight from FIFA President Gianni Infantino during a press event in Dallas on Wednesday. “I can confirm the first-ever halftime 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,” Infantino declared.
Much like Roc Nation’s collaboration with the NFL to produce the Super Bowl halftime show, FIFA will now rely on Martin and Harvey to craft an unforgettable musical experience for fans worldwide.
While it remains unclear whether Coldplay themselves will take the stage, their expertise in delivering epic live performances suggests that the show will be nothing short of spectacular.
Typically, halftime in soccer lasts around 15 minutes, but FIFA may follow the NFL’s lead by extending the intermission to accommodate a full-scale musical production. If that happens, the 2026 World Cup Final—set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey—could mark the beginning of a thrilling new tradition for the sport’s biggest event.
Given Coldplay’s experience with high-energy performances, including their Super Bowl 50 halftime show, fans can expect an unforgettable moment in music and football history!
