The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup will be the first time the international football tournament will incorporate entertainment within a football match.
As announced by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the next World Cup will have Super Bowl-like halftime shows in the opening, semi-final, and final matches.
Party in the USA
While the idea of merging sports and entertainment in football is novel, it comes as almost no surprise considering the tournament will be hosted in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The finals will be held at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, rebranded to New York New Jersey Stadium during the duration of the World Cup, on 19 July 2026.
Infantino revealed some of the plans for the halftime show, but also a Times Square takeover in his Instagram announcement:
These two incredible matches will feature 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.
A FIFA spokesperson added that the intention is to extend the World Cup experience beyond football, citing how the Super Bowl has become an international event exactly due to the halftime show. So, FIFA is looking to simulate this in pursuit of even bigger viewership, attracting the audience that doesn’t watch the sport regularly.
Not Like Us: Part 2?
Unlike the NFL and other American sports, football doesn’t really have a tradition of long breaks between the two halves of the match to incorporate music and entertainment. Although still unconfirmed, it’s highly likely that the standard 15-minute break will be extended to provide enough time for the performances.
Speaking of music, Infantino has hinted that FIFA has a list of artists in mind, with the band Coldplay helping them narrow down the selection:
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 artists...
Who will perform at the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Fans have expressed the desire to see Kendrick Lamar, Shakira (whose song 'Waka Waka' was the 2010 FIFA World Cup anthem), Taylor Swift, and Lady Gaga. Some even believe Drake could take the stage as a counterpoint to Kendrick Lamar’s performance at the 2025 Super Bowl.
FIFA World Cup 2026 starts on 11 June 2026 and will have 48 international teams compete for the title of the best in the world. If you’re betting on football, keep an eye out for early outright betting offers as bookies prepare for this big event.
