FIFA Planning ’26 Men’s World Cup Final Halftime Show, Times Square Takeover
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 01:00PM By Barry Janoff
March 5, 2025: In a move intended to make a momentous event even more monumental, FIFA today said it plans to stage a halftime show during the 2026 Men’s World Cup final, scheduled for July 19.
A first for FIFA, the Super Bowl-inspired half-time in MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ — home to the NFL’s New York Giants and Jets — would come with what was called a takeover of nearby Times Square during Finals weekend, encompassing the semi-final and finals matches.
“'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,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino posted to social media.
"I can confirm the first-ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final in New York New Jersey.”
Infanino said he is working with Chris Martin and Phil Harvey of Coldplay, and advocacy group Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans on the plans.
Infantino indicated that a "list of artists" would perform.
"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,” posted Infantino.
“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.”
Already history-making, the 2026 World Cup will also mark the debut of an expanded 48-team format and the first time three nations are hosting the tournament: the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
One major logistic that was not yet addressed: How long will the halftime show last?
Soccer halftimes are typically limited to 15 minutes. Super Bowl halftime shows can run upward of 30 minutes, depending on the number of musicians involved and the time need to build and then dismantle the set.
Coldpay performed at Super Bowl 50 (February 2016) with Beyoncé and Bruno Mars.
Super Bowl XLVII (February 2014) in MetLife Stadium featured a halftime show Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 
FIFA has already started to share plans for a Fan Festival, calling it “the best place outside of the Stadiums to watch FIFA World Cup Matches live in a buzzing environment and experience the best in football, music, entertainment, culture, food and lifestyle — a true festival of football.”
“’My thanks of course to Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans and his incredible team, for helping us put together these amazing shows,” posted Infantino.
"I also want to thank Chris Martin and Phil Harvey of Coldplay, who will be working with us at FIFA to finalize the list of artists who will perform during the halftime show, as well as at Times Square."
FIFA global partners include Aramco, Adidas, Coca-Cola, Hyundai/Kia, Qatar Airways and Visa.
Sponsors and supporters include Anheuser-Busch (Budweiser), Bank of America, Dove Men. The Home Depot, Lay’s, McDonald’s, Mengnlu, Rock-It Cargo, Valvoline and Verizon.
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