World Cup Final 2026: Everything You Need to Know About the Half-Time Show
The FIFA World Cup gets the Super Bowl treatment this Sunday, as for the first time in history, the midpoint of the Final will feature a halftime show.
FIFA’s decision to incorporate the worlds of music and high-level sport hasn’t gone down as well as many Americans would have expected in Europe and the rest of the world, with many soccer fans vowing not to watch the mid-match entertainment.
However, what can we expect to see at the 2026 World Cup Halftime Show, and which artists will be performing?
World Cup Final Closing Ceremony
Long before the attention turns to the Halftime show, there will be the traditional Closing Ceremony at MetLife Stadium. It was announced earlier this week that Post Malone would headline the event, which takes place 90 minutes before the match between Argentina and Spain gets underway.
The Closing Ceremony will also feature performances by British icon Robbie Williams, former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, and YouTuber IShowSpeed. A special appearance by Tom Cruise has also been announced. The American national anthem will be sung by Jennifer Hudson.
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Who Will Perform at the World Cup Final Halftime Show?
A star-studded list of artists has been announced to headline the first-ever World Cup Halftime show in 2026. Justin Bieber was added to the list of artists earlier this week, with the Canadian pop star joining huge names such as BTS, Madonna, and Shakira.
The latter has formed the backdrop to every match throughout the summer, with her collaboration with Burna Boy titled ‘Dai Dai’ played at every fixture in 2026.
In addition to the announced superstars, Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus, and Coldplay will also perform. The Sesame Street Muppets will also be involved during the set.
FIFA revealed that the Halftime show will aim to raise money for the Global Citizen Education Fund, with the initiative targeting $100 million. Coldplay’s Chris Martin has curated the show, but its inclusion hasn’t gone down well with some nations.
Why Is The World Cup Halftime Show Controversial?
Sunday’s World Cup Halftime Final Show hasn’t been met with widespread positivity, with some broadcasters in Europe and South America threatening not to include it in their coverage.
Unlike the Super Bowl, the FIFA World Cup has never previously staged a Halftime show, with the official rules citing that a 15-minute break shouldn’t be exceeded. Therefore, there are genuine concerns for players should the break last longer.
It was revealed this week that FIFA expects the show to last between 20 and 25 minutes, breaking the official rules established by the International Football Association Board. This is another example of FIFA breaking the rules of its own sport during the World Cup this summer.
Who Will Be In The World Cup Final?
Sunday will be all about the world’s most famous prize, with many fans likely to show little to no interest in the Halftime show itself. The latest World Cup final odds for the clash between Spain and Argentina can be found below:
Who Will Win The World Cup?
Just two nations remain in the hunt to win the 2026 World Cup, with France and England colliding on Saturday in the match for third. You can find our picks for Spain vs. Argentina here, as well as our Bet Builder Picks for a more detailed insight into player props.
