The question “does World Cup have halftime show” has finally been answered — yes, but only starting with the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Till now, the world’s biggest international football tournament has not included a Super Bowl-style halftime entertainment during the final match. But in a landmark move, FIFA has confirmed that the 2026 final will feature its first-ever halftime show. In this article, SantaKick will take you through what that means, how it’ll work, and what fans should expect — and also why it’s stirring up both excitement and some controversy.
What has been announced about the 2026 halftime show
FIFA has officially confirmed several key details about the halftime show for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. These are the major elements so far:
- The final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey (USA) on July 19, 2026, and for the first time ever, there will be a halftime show during that match.
- FIFA is partnering with Global Citizen, an international education and advocacy organization, to co-produce the show.
- Coldplay (via Chris Martin and Phil Harvey) has been brought in to advise on the selection of performers.
- The show is meant to be in the style of the Super Bowl halftime show — meaning spectacle, global music acts, large-scale entertainment, and a blend of sport + culture.
Why this is a big deal (and what it means)
This change is significant because it represents a shift in how FIFA views the World Cup final — not just as a match, but as an entertainment event on a massive global stage. Here’s what it implies:
- Tradition vs. Modernization: Historically, the World Cup final has focused purely on the football — opening ceremonies, closing ceremonies, national anthems, etc., but not a mid-match show. The halftime break has been functional, just a chance for teams to regroup.
- Broadcast and viewership: A halftime show adds spectacle, potentially increasing viewership and media value. The Super Bowl is often used as the benchmark:ple tune in not just for the game but for the entertainment. FIFA seems to want to tap into that.
- Logistical challenges: A typical football halftime lasts about 15 minutes. There is some uncertainty whether the halftime interval will be extended to accommodate the show without rushing the performance or negatively affecting the flow of the match.
- Cultural reactions: Fans are divided. Some are excited by the idea of music + spectacle around the biggest match in international football; others worry it might distract.
What we don’t yet know
While the announcementhistoric, several details are still TBD. Here are what fans are watching for:
- Artists lineup
- We know Coldplay is helping curate the list of artists. But we don’t yet have the finalized lineup. Will it be global superstars? Regional acts? It’s expected to feature multiple performers.
- Length of the show / halftime duration
- Will the halftime still be 15 minutes? Or will FIFA extend it to allow for build up, performance, teardown, and returning to full readiness for the second half? Some sources suggest the show must fit within the usual interval; others say there may be flexibility.
- Production scale
- How large will the staging be? Effects, lighting, dancers, video/LED screens, etc., all those elements will matter. Also whether there will be pre-show fireworks or other fan-events.
- Cost, sponsorship, and broadcast logistics
- Who’s paying for all of this? How will it be funded? How will different broadcasters handle the show in different markets? These economics are still opaque. Also how it ties into sponsorships, brand collaborations, etc.
- Global audience expectations and criticism
- How international fans will react when the show is produced in an “American style” is a question. Some will love the spectacle; others may feel it dilutes the purity of football culture. Balancing both is a challenge.
How this compares to previous World Cup matches and other events
To put this into context, here’s how this is different from past World Cups and how it mirrors (or diverges from) other big sporting spectacles:
- Past World Cup finals: No halftime musical performances. Entertainment has come in pre-match or closing ceremonies. So this is the first real mid-match entertainment for the final.
- Other major tournaments / Club World Cup: There have been musical performances associated with tournaments (e.g. opening/closing ceremonies, or pre-match) but not during halftime of the final in this way. The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final, for example, will have a halftime show.
- Super Bowl: The Su, high-budget performances, often starring megastars, heavy staging, sometimes half an hour or more when you include setup and tear-down. Footballccer) in most leagues and tournaments has never worked this way. FIFA is clearly taking inspiration, but it remains to be seen how far they push production timeline and scale.
Why fans are both excited and concerned
Change of this magnitude doesn’t come without strong opinions. Here are the pros and cons as fans and analysts see them:
Pros:
- Adds entertainment value: for many viewers, a musical halftime show increases excitement and spectacle.
- Broadens appeal: might attract people who are less hardcore about matches but love big global performances.
- More commercial/financial potential: bigger sponsorship, broadcasting rights, ad revenue.
- Cultural fusion: chance to bring music + sport + culture together on the biggest stage.
Concerns:
- Risk of distraction: some feel it could shift focus away.
- Time constraints: fitting a full show into a short break could lead to rushed performances, technical glitches.
- Tradition vs. modernization: Purists may see this as unnecessary showboating in a sport that has historically been more restrained during halftime.
- Equity of representation: who gets picked to perform? Is there fair global representation, or will most acts be, big markets?
What “does World Cup have halftime show” means going forward
Given the announcements, here’s what to expect and how we can think about this question in future tournaments.
- Starting 2026, the World Cup final will definitely have a halftime show. For previous editions, the answer has been no.
- Other matches (semi-finals, group stages, etc.) are unlikely to get halftime shows of this scale — those are reserved for the final only. As of now, no announcements suggest all matches will follow suit.
- Expect around 15 minutes or possibly slightly longer, but the performance must fit in the halftime slot or be carefully managed, or else match timing could be affected.
- Global Citizen + Coldplay’s involvement means the creative direction will likely aim for worldwide appeal. Acts chosen may bridge pop, culture, and represent diverse regions.
Frequently asked sub-questions
Here are answers to some follow-ups around this topic:
Will only the final have a halftime show?
Yes. So far announcements are specific to the final match. There is no confirmation that other matches will include halftime shows of this kind.
Is this common in soccer elsewhere (e.g. club matches, leagues)?
Not really. Most club leagues don’t have halftime shows like the NFL or Su.
Will there be a halftime show in 2022 or earlier World Cups?
No. Those have passed without halftime shows during the final.
How will this affect halftime rest periods / player performance?
That’s a concern. Extended halftime or heavy stage equipment may alter how rest and preparation happen. But FIFA seems conscious of this, so staging and duration will likely be designed to minimize disruption.
Conclusion
In conclusion, does World Cup have halftime show — yes, but only starting with the 2026 final. This will be the first time in history the FIFA World Cup final includes a Super Bowl-style halftime musical performance, staged in partnership with Global Citizen and under the creative input of Coldplay. This marks a transformation not just for the match itself, but for how the world will watch the World Cup final: as sport and entertainment.
If you’re excited about this change, keep an eye out for artist announcements, staging details, and broadcast plans as we get closer to 2026. SantaKick will be following every update — sign up or follow us so you don’t miss the lineup reveals, behind-the-scenes looks, and reaction
