FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup final will feature a half-time show for the first time in the tournament’s history. The announcement, made on Wednesday, marks a significant shift in the World Cup’s format, bringing it closer to the entertainment spectacle seen at events like the Super Bowl.
Infantino also revealed that the World Cup will “take over” New York’s iconic Times Square during the final and third-place match, further amplifying the global reach and excitement of the tournament. The 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, promises to be a landmark event in football history.
In a post on his personal Instagram, Infantino wrote, “I can confirm the first-ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final in New York/New Jersey, in association with Global Citizen. This will be a historic moment for the World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world.”
The introduction of a half-time show is expected to elevate the entertainment value of the final, attracting a broader audience and creating a festival-like atmosphere around the match. The collaboration with Global Citizen, a prominent advocacy organization, suggests that the show may also incorporate themes of social impact and global unity.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams, expanding the tournament’s scale and reach. With the final set to take place at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the inclusion of a half-time show and the activation of Times Square underscore FIFA’s efforts to make the event a truly global celebration of football and culture.
Fans and stakeholders alike are eagerly anticipating further details about the half-time show and other innovations planned for the tournament, as FIFA continues to redefine the World Cup experience.