The 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium will feature a groundbreaking halftime show. For the first time in tournament history, FIFA has organized an 11-minute spectacle with global superstars including Coldplay, Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS, and Shakira. The idea originated when Coldplay frontman Chris Martin pitched it to Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans, who then brought it to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Infantino Was Already a Coldplay Fan and Had a Similar Idea
Evans met Infantino at FIFA headquarters in Switzerland, only to discover that the president had independently dreamed of a similar show. Infantino, a Coldplay enthusiast, immediately greenlit the project. The halftime show also serves as a fundraiser for Global Citizen's youth education initiatives, aiming to raise $100 million. FIFA will donate $1 from every ticket sold, and Shakira will contribute royalties from her official World Cup anthem 'Dai Dai' with Burna Boy.
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A Tight 11-Minute Show with Chapters for Each Artist
Producer Lee Rolontz divided the performance into chapters, giving each artist roughly 1 minute and 45 seconds. Madonna, Bieber, BTS, and Shakira will perform alongside Coldplay and the PS22 chorus. The biggest challenge is protecting the pitch: the production team consulted NFL field director Nick Pappas to ensure no damage. All equipment must be set up and removed within 3 to 4 minutes, using custom solutions to preserve the grass.
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Some Fans Fear Americanization of the World Cup
Not everyone is thrilled. Traditionalists argue that the World Cup should not mimic the Super Bowl's halftime format. Tiffany Naiman from UCLA notes that while FIFA is borrowing an American production model, the artist lineup is global: Bieber is Canadian, BTS is South Korean, and Shakira is Colombian. Tom Cruise's planned appearance during the closing ceremony adds to the spectacle, but critics worry about hyper-commercialization.
For more on the tournament's refereeing innovations, see our article on Collina defends VAR at World Cup 2026.
BTS Army Rallies and Prediction Markets Buzz
The BTS Army has already raised $40,000 for Global Citizen without being asked. Their passion is mirrored on prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket, where tens of billions of dollars have been traded on World Cup outcomes. According to CNBC, Shakira's 'Dai Dai' is a favorite to be performed, given its status as the official tournament song.
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Despite mixed reactions, the halftime show marks a bold new direction for FIFA. NYU professor Isra Ali suggests that future hosts may resist such commercialization, but for now, the world will watch as Morocco, Portugal, and Spain prepare for 2030. For further context on the World Cup's evolution, visit the FIFA World Cup Wikipedia page.
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/fifa-world-cup-halftime-show-what-to-expect
