FIFA President Gianni Infantino announces major change for the 2026 World Cup final

FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed a groundbreaking addition to the 2026 World Cup final, setting it apart from previous tournaments.

The 2026 World Cup is drawing closer, and while much of the event’s planning appears finalized, FIFA still has surprises in store for fans. With the final set to take place in the United States, organizers are aiming to turn the tournament’s climax into a spectacle unlike any before.

According to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the 2026 World Cup final will feature a halftime show—a concept inspired by the annual spectacle seen during the Super Bowl.

“This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world,” Infantino announced during the FIFA Commercial & Media Partners Convention in Dallas.

Unlike past World Cup tournaments, which have included pre-match ceremonies for the final, this will be the first time a show takes place during halftime. However, the event will remain within the 15-minute halftime duration of a soccer match, contrasting with the 30-minute Super Bowl halftime shows.

Copa América 2024: The only precedent

The idea of a halftime show at a soccer final is not entirely new. A notable precedent occurred during the 2024 Copa América final when CONMEBOL organized a halftime performance featuring Shakira during the Argentina-Colombia showdown in the United States.

While the performance received praise, its execution faced logistical issues. The halftime break extended well beyond the standard 15 minutes, lasting approximately 26 minutes due to the time required to dismantle the stage.

Infantino’s official statement

“It was my pleasure to speak with friends and colleagues attending the FIFA World Cup 26: FIFA Commercial & Media Partners Convention in 🇺🇸 Dallas, where we discussed some very exciting plans for the biggest-ever FIFA World Cup in 2026.

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 half time show, as well as at Times Square”.

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