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Soccer fans, get ready for a game-changer. FIFA's shaking things up for the 2026 World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, promising a halftime show that'll rival the Super Bowl's glitz-minus the Jay-Z touch. Announced on March 5 by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, this "Super Bowl-like" spectacle is set to break tradition and bring a fresh vibe to the world's biggest soccer stage.
"I can confirm the first ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final in New York New Jersey," Infantino shared on Instagram. "This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world."
Unlike the NFL, which has leaned on Jay-Z's Roc Nation since 2019 to curate its star-studded halftime gigs-think Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna-FIFA's going a different route. They've tapped Coldplay's Chris Martin to help craft this musical extravaganza, steering clear of the hip-hop flair Roc Nation's known for.
Picture this: a lineup of diverse artists, a longer-than-usual halftime (beyond the standard 15 minutes), and a global party vibe at the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026. It's a bold pivot for soccer, which has historically kept halftimes low-key compared to the Super Bowl's 30-minute blowouts.
FIFA goes big, skips Jay-Z influence
Why the change? The U.S. hosting in 2026-with co-hosts Canada and Mexico-is a golden opportunity to amp up soccer's Stateside appeal, especially with Lionel Messi mania still rocking the MLS. FIFA's not spilling all the details yet, but they're hinting at a "list of artists" to keep fans buzzing.
"We're working with Chris Martin to make this unforgettable," Infantino teased, suggesting a melodic twist that could lean into Coldplay's stadium-rock roots. Posts on X are already hyped, with fans tossing out dream acts and debating how soccer's global stage might outshine the NFL's.
The Super Bowl's long been the gold standard for halftime hype-Usher's 2024 show pulled 129 million viewers-but FIFA's aiming to flex its own muscle. With 1.5 billion tuning into the 2022 World Cup Final, per FIFA stats, they've got the audience to back it up.
No Jay-Z influence means a clean slate, free from Roc Nation's rap-heavy playbook. Instead, expect a mix that nods to soccer's worldwide flavor, maybe blending pop, rock, or even local Jersey flair.