World Cup final half-time show set to be longer than anticpated as MetLife stadium field to be utilised

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FT Desk

The 2026 World Cup final half-time interval is set to be much longer than the allocated 15-minute timeslot usually reserved for soccer matches.

FIFA has put plans in motion to use the MetLife Stadium field during the halftime show of the World Cup final on July 19, which suggests a longer, more elaborate performance, akin to the Super Bowl, will take place.

The 2026 World Cup will take place across North America this summer, following the Club World Cup in the United States in 2025. For the final of that event, musicians Doja Cat, J Balvin and Tems performed but they used specially-constructed stages within the stands and didn't take to the field.

The performers for the half-time show will be announced on May 14 and insiders have told The Athletic that the field will indeed be used as part of the performance.

"Details of the exciting FIFA World Cup 2026 final half-time show will be announced in due course. We are thrilled to share the details with the world soon," a FIFA spokesperson told The Athletic.

Gianni Infantino previously confirmed that multiple acts will perform in the new World Cup final half-time show.

"I can confirm the first-ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final in New York New Jersey," He wrote on Instagram.

"This will be a historic moment for the Fifa World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world."

It was also revealed at that time that Coldplay and Chris Martin would "curate" the show by providing a list of artists to FIFA who would shine in front of the billions watching at home.

No acts have been confirmed yet, but what we do know is that more than one will be involved, while it is widely expected that Shakira will perform her official World Cup track "Dai Dai".

At the Semafor World Economy Summit, Infantino was asked whether there will be celebrity involvement in the World Cup final and he responded:

"Yes, well, of course we are, we are involving, you know, in the World Cup, all the celebrities that, that you can imagine from, from other sports, from America.

"I mean we had Tom Brady, Shaquille O'Neal, and others (at the World Cup group stage draw in December) already, they love it. We will have for the first time in history actually at the final, which is taking place on the 19th of July in New York, New Jersey.

"We'll have for the first time ever a halftime show, a halftime show, curated by, Chris Martin and Coldplay, so, I cannot yet tell you which artists will, be performing, but it's not one, it's more than one.

"And it will be the biggest in the world. It will be fantastic. It's the first time in history."

For years, football fans shrugged at the Americanisation of the sport. While the Super Bowl half-time show is one of the biggest showpiece events in all of sports, football fans outside of North America don't believe the sport needs such a thing.

The Champions League final has already embraced pre-match shows but this will be the first time in history that the World Cup final has a musical performance of any kind at half-time.

Football fans should probably prepare for an extended half-time break, too. While normal NFL matches have a 15-minute break, the same as in soccer, the Super Bowl is extended to 30 minutes to allow for the set-up and dismantling of the production.

This presents issues for both coaches and players who aren't used to such a long break between halves.

FIFA has already announced opening ceremonies for the first matches of each 2026 World Cup host nation - Mexico, Canada, and the United States - featuring high-profile music acts. These include J Balvin performing at Mexico vs. South Africa, Michael Buble and Alanis Morissette at Canada vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Katy Perry and Lisa at the USMNT opener against Paraguay.

In total, FIFA revealed 23 acts across these three ceremonies, with the possibility of additional performers to be announced later.