The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature its first-ever musical half-time show during the final match in New York/New Jersey, with Coldplay helping to curate the performing artists.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced this historic addition through Instagram, confirming that the event will be produced in association with Global Citizen. Chris Martin and Coldplay manager Phil Harvey will assist FIFA in finalizing the performer lineup for both the half-time show and Times Square celebrations.

The World Cup half-time show faces a significant timing challenge, as FIFA's standard 15-minute half-time break is considerably shorter than the NFL Super Bowl's 30-minute intermission. For comparison, the 2024 Super Bowl half-time performance by Kendrick Lamar ran for 13 minutes, making it one of the longest in Super Bowl history.

FIFA aims to rival the Super Bowl's entertainment appeal, following the success of Super Bowl LIV's half-time show, which attracted 133.5 million viewers. The organization also plans to take over Times Square during the final weekend, hosting celebrations for both the bronze final match and the championship game.

Key details about the performance duration and whether Coldplay will perform remain unconfirmed. However, FIFA's integration of a musical showcase represents a significant shift in World Cup entertainment strategy, potentially setting a new standard for future tournaments.

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