FIFA make plans to use MetLife playing field for 2026 World Cup final half-time show – The Athletic
FIFA has drafted plans to use the MetLife Stadium field during the half-time show of the World Cup final, making it very likely that the interval for the tournament’s showpiece event on July 19 will run significantly beyond soccer’s usual regulations of 15 minutes.
At last year’s Club World Cup final at MetLife, FIFA presented half-time entertainment featuring musicians Doja Cat, J Balvin and Tems but the show did not use the field. Instead, the organizers constructed a stage high up in the stands to avoid any impact on the playing surface.
Soccer’s governing body has previously informed broadcast partners it intends to announce the line-up of acts for the World Cup final half-time show on May 14. According to sources with direct knowledge of the plans, who asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships, one idea floated uses the field for the performance, as is usually the case with half-time shows at the Super Bowl.
FIFA did not directly respond to the detail that it had drafted plans to use the area of the playing field and also declined to clarify the planned length of half-time.
A FIFA spokesperson told The Athletic: “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.”
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin is curating the show in partnership with Global Citizen, although it has not yet been confirmed whether Coldplay will perform. The Colombian star Shakira last week unveiled her official World Cup song Dai Dai in collaboration with Burna Boy. It would not be a surprise, therefore, if she made an appearance at the final, particularly as Shakira has five tour dates lined up for the New York/New Jersey area between July 14 and July 25. She does not have a show slated for July 19, the day of the World Cup final.
Shakira was part of the closing ceremony at the 2014 World Cup (Pool/Getty Images)
Last year, even with the field untouched during the half-time show at the Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, the interval lasted a little over 24 minutes, rather than the usual 15 minutes set out in the Laws of the Game.
Broadcasters are waiting to learn the full extent of FIFA’s plans for this year’s final and how long they should expect the half-time period to be, since it will alter their programming and schedules.
The World Cup final has previously featured pre-game shows but this edition will be the first time in the tournament’s history to involve a half-time show. FIFA’s plans will also have an impact on players, whose bodies and minds have been accustomed to 15-minute intervals throughout their careers. Now there may be a longer break for arguably the most important game of their lives.
It will also present a challenge for coaches, who may need to adjust how they deliver their half-time messages. Sports science specialists and fitness coaches may also make plans to ensure players have a half-time rest but are also adequately prepared physically for the second half. If FIFA follows through with plans to use the field, it will also need to ensure the playing turf is unaffected by the disruption.
At the Super Bowl, the half-time show usually lasts between 12 and 15 minutes, but when allowing for the transformation of the scene from a sports event to a music concert and back again, the interval often extends to 25-30 minutes.
Bruno Mars performs during the Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium in 2014 (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
FIFA has already announced that the first matches for each host nation (Mexico, Canada and the United States) will feature opening ceremonies starring a string of high-profile music acts. These include J Balvin for the game between Mexico and South Africa, Michael Buble and Alanis Morissette for Canada against Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Katy Perry and Lisa for the USMNT opener against Paraguay. In total, FIFA has announced 23 acts across those three opening ceremonies, while also saying more may be added in due course.
FIFA will seek to encourage fans to take their seats early for the opening ceremonies, which are scheduled to start 90 minutes before kick-off at those three games. According to planning materials seen by The Athletic, the Mexican ceremony is scheduled to last 16 minutes and 30 seconds, while both the U.S. and Canadian shows are slated for 13 minutes each.
FIFA will then also pay tribute to the 250th anniversary of the United States on July 4, to align the World Cup with America’s Semiquincentennial, marking 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Two matches at the round-of-16 stage — one in Philadelphia and one in Houston — are scheduled to take place on July 4 and each will have a 250th-themed tribute before kick-off.
