For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, the 2026 World Cup Final will feature a halftime show similar to the NFL Super Bowl halftime show. The event will take place on July 19, 2026 at the Met Life Stadium, where the championship match will be played. FIFA officials announced that the show is meant to combine music, entertainment, and soccer on one of the world’s biggest stages.

The halftime performance is expected to feature major international artists including Shakira, Madonna, and BTS. Members of Coldplay, especially lead singer Chris Martin, are helping organize and produce the performance. FIFA says that the show will also support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which raises money to improve education opportunities for children around the world.

Although many fans are excited about the lineup, others are not happy with the idea. Mia Cameron, a student at STA, said “As someone that cares about music more than soccer, I am very happy that there is a halftime show this year.” Mia stated that she was “very excited for Coldplay.” Traditional soccer fans argue that the World Cup Final should stay focused on the game itself rather than entertainment. Julia Generolova, a junior at STA, said “I feel like the halftime show might attract fans that only want to see the music. What if they take seats away from real soccer fans?” Some critics believe the halftime show is making soccer feel too much like American sports culture. There are also concerns about how the performance could extend soccer’s normal 15-minute halftime break.

Even with the criticism, FIFA believes the event could make the World Cup even more popular worldwide. They hope that the halftime show will attract younger audiences and create a larger global audience. Since the 2026 tournament will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, many believe that FIFA is trying to make this year’s World Cup feel bigger and more modern than before