The 2026 World Cup final will stage a Super Bowl-style half-time show for the first time, with Coldplay helping to pick a “list of artists” to perform.
The tournament, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, concludes with the final on 19 July 2026 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Though pre-match performances at showpiece occasions such as the Champions League final have become commonplace, there has never been a half-time show at a World Cup final.
Half-times in the regular NFL season last around 15 minutes but they are extended up to 30 minutes at the Super Bowl in order to accommodate a half-time show.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino says Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin and band manager Phil Harvey will help to establish a set of artists to perform in the 15-minute break at next year’s final.
“I can confirm the first ever half-time show at a Fifa World Cup final in New York New Jersey,” Infantino wrote on Instagram.
“This will be a historic moment for the Fifa World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world.”
Rap artist Kendrick Lamar headlined this year’s Super Bowl half-time show in New Orleans, which drew record audience figures of 133.5m across the United States.
The performance surpassed the long-standing record set by Michael Jackson in 1993.
The likes of Rihanna, Beyonce and Lady Gaga have also performed in recent years, while Coldplay headlined in 2016.
Source : https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cge1q41np7go
