FIFA confirms stars for World Cup final half-time show, over 15 mins | OneFootball

The 2026 World Cup will have a final unlike any other in history. FIFA has officially announced that the decisive match will include a musical halftime show, a new feature that will alter a long-standing football tradition and bring the format closer to that of major sporting events in the United States.

The final will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium and will feature top-tier stars on stage. Madonna, Shakira, and BTS will headline the show, which, according to the organization, will have artistic direction by Chris Martin, the lead singer of Coldplay.

The official announcement came through a video released by football’s governing body. In it, the British musician appeared alongside Sesame Street characters and the Muppets to reveal the selected artists, in a post that quickly went viral and dominated conversation on social media.

Unlike other World Cups, the show will not take place before the match or during the opening ceremony, but right at halftime of the final. Until now, World Cups had only featured performances before kickoff, so this decision marks a major change in the tournament’s usual structure.

One of the points that has generated the most reaction is the length of halftime. Normally, the break lasts 15 minutes, although on this occasion it would be extended to nearly half an hour to allow for stage setup, the performance, and technical dismantling. The move recalls what happened in the most recent Copa América final, when the interval was also extended because of a Shakira concert. That time it was an exceptional situation; now, by contrast, it would be an official segment built into the planning of the tournament’s most important match.

From a football standpoint, the change also raises questions. Coaching staffs usually use that time to make tactical adjustments, recover energy, and reorganize the team. A longer break could alter long-established dynamics within a decisive match. In addition to the main show, FIFA said there will be musical ceremonies at different tournament venues. Mexico City will feature Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, J Balvin, Maná, and Los Ángeles Azules, while Canada will add Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette. Meanwhile, Los Angeles will host Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, and LISA.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.