Unlike previous World Cups, where halftime has been a brief 15-minute intermission focused on player recovery and pitch maintenance (often involving watering the field), FIFA is extending the format to blend elite athletics with high-production entertainment.
This shift aims to elevate the event’s global appeal, especially in North America, where the Super Bowl halftime show has become a cultural phenomenon drawing billions of viewers. FIFA President Gianni Infantino described it as “a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world.”
FIFA has partnered with Global Citizen, the international advocacy organization known for massive events like the Global Citizen Festival, to curate the show. This collaboration merges music, sport, and social impact, tying into a broader initiative: the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
The fund aims to raise over $100 million by 2026 to expand access to quality education and FIFA’s Football for Schools program in more than 200 countries.
The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marks a groundbreaking expansion to 48 teams and 104 matches—the largest edition in the tournament’s history.
Culminating on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium (temporarily renamed New York New Jersey Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the final will not only crown a world champion but also feature the first-ever halftime show in World Cup history, inspired by the iconic Super Bowl spectacles.