The 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches its finale today, with Spain facing Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. But alongside the football itself, viewers can expect a major change from the usual format.
World Cup halftime has traditionally been a brief 15-minute interval, giving players time to regroup while broadcasters fill the gap with analysis. This time, though, FIFA is staging the first-ever halftime show at a World Cup final, bringing a very different feel to the showpiece match. FIFA has not publicly set out an exact running time, but the event is being billed as a major live production rather than a standard break in play.
That shift has not gone down well with everyone. Some supporters feel the final is drifting too far from football tradition, especially after the introduction of winner’s rings in a style more commonly associated with American sport.
“First the hydration breaks which are quarters (even though commentators keep slicking saying first half/second half hydration breaks). Now this, this was just the US trying to Americanise it.”
Hydration breaks have also been part of the tournament, with FIFA scheduling two short stoppages in each match because of the summer heat across the host nations: the United States, Mexico and Canada.
For fans looking forward to the entertainment, the halftime show has been curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and will feature a star-studded lineup.
FIFA first announced that Madonna, Shakira and BTS would co-headline the first World Cup final halftime show. In May, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the performance would be curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay and would support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
Since then, FIFA has confirmed additional performers, with Justin Bieber joining the bill as a co-headliner. FIFA has also said that Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay are set to appear.
The show is being produced by Global Citizen and is linked to a fundraising drive for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children around the world. FIFA has said more than $50 million has already been raised, including $1 from every World Cup 2026 ticket sold.
Justin Bieber’s inclusion came after FIFA confirmed him as a late addition to the lineup, alongside the original co-headliners. The singer has kept a relatively low profile in recent years, making his appearance one of the most talked-about additions to the show.
BTS are also among the most anticipated acts on the bill, following the group’s return from military service and renewed activity as a full group.
Burna Boy’s presence adds Afrobeats star power to the event, while Gustavo Dudamel brings a classical music touch to a lineup dominated by pop and global superstars. The PS22 Chorus, a children’s choir from Staten Island that has performed with Coldplay before, adds another New York-area connection to the spectacle.
Shakira and Madonna’s involvement is especially notable given their long histories as live performers on the global stage. Shakira has become closely associated with FIFA tournaments over the years, while Madonna remains one of the most recognisable names in pop music.
The final is scheduled to kick off at 3pm ET, with the halftime show expected to follow in the middle of the match. With a global audience watching and a rare departure from World Cup tradition, FIFA’s new spectacle is set to be almost as closely watched as the football itself.