The FIFA announced a historic change for the final of the 2026 World Cup: for the first time, the decisive match will feature a Super Bowl-style halftime show, breaking with a long-standing tradition in football.
The match will take place on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium, at the conclusion of the tournament organized by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and will feature top international music stars: Shakira, Madonna, and BTS. The artistic production will be overseen by Chris Martin, the leader of Coldplay, who participated in the official announcement.
The show will mark a break from the traditional format of the World Cups, which until now only included opening and closing ceremonies, in addition to performances at Fan Fest, but never during the halftime of a final. With this decision, FIFA aims to bring the event closer to the model of major American sporting spectacles and enhance its global impact.
One of the points that generates the most uncertainty is the duration of the halftime. Typically, halftime in football is 15 minutes, but to set up and dismantle the stage, as well as to develop the show, it is estimated that, considering past experiences such as the 2024 Copa América and the 2025 Club World Cup, it will extend to about 30 minutes.
This change also raises questions in the sporting realm. Teams usually take advantage of that time for physical recovery, tactical adjustments, and preparation for the second half, so a longer break could disrupt historical routines and affect the pace of the match.
For her part, Shakira's presence will have a special symbolic value, as she returns to a World Cup final after her memorable participation in South Africa 2010 with "Waka Waka". It is worth noting that the Colombian artist will also be the performer of the official song for this World Cup, titled "Dai Dai".
With this innovation, FIFA aims to transform the World Cup final into a comprehensive spectacle, where the show and the sport, true to the style of the North American country, coexist like never before in the history of the tournament.
