FIFA schedules extended halftime show with global superstars for 2026 World Cup final

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina will be played on 19 July at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA. FIFA has confirmed a historic halftime show, the first ever at a World Cup final, featuring Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS, Burna Boy, Coldplay, Gustavo Dudamel and a school choir. The production is expected to last about 11 minutes, but the total intermission may be extended to 25‑30 minutes, exceeding the International Football Association Board’s 15‑minute limit – a point of debate among officials. FIFA said the aim is “to make the final the biggest global television event in the sport’s history.”

In addition, the closing ceremony scheduled 90 minutes before kickoff will be headlined by American rapper‑singer Post Malone, with guest appearances by Tom Cruise, streamer IShowSpeed, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and Jennifer Hudson performing the U.S. anthem. The ceremony, produced with Balich Wonder Studio and Global Citizen, is intended to celebrate the tournament’s 48 teams, three host nations and to raise funds for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Post Malone “will deliver a performance designed to celebrate the tournament’s journey and ignite the atmosphere before the world’s attention turns to the two finalists.”