Coldplay to assist FIFA for first-ever World Cup halftime show

The 2026 World Cup final will feature its first ever halftime show, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday with assistance from international education and advocacy organisation Global Citizen as well as British band Coldplay.

Posting on Instagram Infantino said: "I can confirm the first ever half-time 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.

We also spoke about how FIFA will takeover Times Square for the final weekend of the FIFA World Cup in 2026, during both the bronze final match and final. These will be two incredible matches, featuring 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.

My thanks of course to Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans and his incredible team, for helping us put together these amazing shows. 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 during the halftime show, as well as at Times Square."

The 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The tournament will feature 104 matches instead of the previous 64 games, including an additional knockout round.

The final will be played at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, home of NFL teams New York Giants and New York Jets.