The world cup 2026 halftime show will make history on Sunday, July 19, 2026. For the first time in 97 years of World Cup finals FIFA will feature a halftime entertainment show during the championship match. The show takes place at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Global Citizen produces the show. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin leads the creative direction alongside manager Phil Harvey. FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed multiple artists will perform but no names have been revealed yet.
This guide covers the expected start time, confirmed producers, rumored performers and how to watch live from anywhere in the world.
Last updated: April 2026.
When is the World Cup 2026 Halftime Show?
The halftime show takes place during halftime of the World Cup Final on Sunday, July 19, 2026. The match kicks off at 3:00 PM ET. Halftime typically starts about 50 to 60 minutes into the broadcast.
That puts the expected halftime show start around 4:00 PM to 4:15 PM ET. Reports suggest the show could run up to 25 minutes. Standard World Cup halftime breaks last 15 minutes so FIFA will need to extend the break for this performance.
| Time Zone | Final Kickoff | Halftime Show (Estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Time (ET) | 3:00 PM | ~4:00 PM |
| UK (BST) | 8:00 PM | ~9:00 PM |
| Central Europe (CEST) | 9:00 PM | ~10:00 PM |
| Nigeria (WAT) | 8:00 PM | ~9:00 PM |
| Middle East (AST) | 10:00 PM | ~11:00 PM |
| India (IST) | 12:30 AM+1 | ~1:30 AM+1 |
| Japan/Korea (JST/KST) | 4:00 AM+1 | ~5:00 AM+1 |
| Australia (AEST) | 5:00 AM+1 | ~6:00 AM+1 |
| Brazil (BRT) | 4:00 PM | ~5:00 PM |
+1 means the next day. Halftime show times are estimates based on typical match flow.
Who is Performing at the World Cup 2026 Halftime Show?
FIFA has not announced the performer lineup yet. Here is everything we know so far.
Chris Martin of Coldplay curates the show. He selects the artists and shapes the creative direction. Phil Harvey assists him. Martin’s role focuses on producing the show rather than performing in it.
Multiple artists will perform. Infantino told Semafor “I cannot yet tell you which artists will be performing, but it’s not one, it’s more than one. It will be the biggest in the world.”
The 2025 Club World Cup Final halftime show offers clues. That show also took place at MetLife Stadium and featured J Balvin, Doja Cat and Tems with a performance by Emmanuel Kelly. Chris Martin and Global Citizen produced that show too. Some of these artists or similar global acts could return for the World Cup Final.
Speculation runs high. Prediction markets show Coldplay at 57% odds to appear despite their stated curatorial role. The Weeknd sits at 29%. No official confirmation exists for any performer.
Who is Producing the World Cup 2026 Halftime Show?
Global Citizen produces the show. The nonprofit organization focuses on ending extreme poverty through advocacy and action. They announced the partnership with FIFA at the Global Citizen Festival in September 2024.
Chris Martin assists Global Citizen as the creative lead. He and Phil Harvey work directly with FIFA to finalize the artist lineup and shape the production.
The show also supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. This initiative aims to raise over $100 million by the 2026 World Cup Final to expand access to quality education and football for children worldwide through FIFA’s Football for Schools program.
Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans called the show “a groundbreaking moment where sport, music and culture merge.”
How Long is the World Cup 2026 Halftime Show?
Reports from The Touchline suggest the show could run up to 25 minutes. FIFA has not confirmed the exact duration.
Standard World Cup halftimes last 15 minutes. The 2026 Final will need an extended break to fit the full production. For comparison Super Bowl halftime shows typically deliver 12 to 14 minutes of actual performance within a longer broadcast window.
The Club World Cup 2025 Final halftime show ran approximately 15 minutes with three headline acts. The World Cup Final show will likely feature a larger production with more performers.
Past World Cup Finals vs the 2026 Halftime Show
No World Cup Final has ever featured halftime entertainment before 2026. Past tournaments featured pre-match shows only.
- Russia 2018: Robbie Williams headlined a pre-match ceremony at Luzhniki Stadium before France vs Croatia.
- Qatar 2022: Ozuna and Gims performed pre-match at Lusail Stadium before Argentina vs France.
- Brazil 2014: Shakira, Carlinhos Brown and Alexandre Pires performed before the final.
All of those shows happened before kickoff. The 2026 edition breaks new ground by placing entertainment during the actual halftime break of the championship match.
How to Watch the World Cup 2026 Halftime Show
The halftime show airs live during the World Cup Final broadcast. Every major broadcaster carries it.
- United States: FOX broadcasts the final and halftime show live. Stream on the FOX Sports App and FOX One in 4K.
- United Kingdom: BBC and ITV both carry the final. Stream free on BBC iPlayer and ITVX.
- Canada: CTV and TSN broadcast live. RDS provides French coverage.
- Australia: SBS provides free coverage. Stream on SBS On Demand.
- Africa: SuperSport broadcasts across 50 countries via DStv and GOtv. SABC covers South Africa free.
- Middle East: beIN Sports holds the rights across the region.
Over 2 billion viewers watched the 2022 World Cup Final. The 2026 final with its first-ever halftime show could break that record.
World Cup 2026 Halftime Show FAQ
Who is performing at the World Cup 2026 halftime show?
FIFA has not announced the full lineup. Chris Martin of Coldplay curates the show with Global Citizen as the producer. Multiple artists will perform. FIFA President Infantino confirmed more than one act will take the stage.
What time is the World Cup 2026 halftime show?
The final kicks off at 3:00 PM ET on July 19. Halftime should start around 4:00 PM ET depending on the match flow. The show could run up to 25 minutes.
Will Coldplay perform at the halftime show?
Chris Martin curates and produces the show but nobody has confirmed Coldplay as a performer. Martin’s role focuses on selecting artists and shaping the creative direction. Prediction markets give Coldplay a 57% chance to appear.
Is this the first World Cup halftime show?
Yes. In 97 years of World Cup history no final has ever featured halftime entertainment. Past tournaments only had pre-match ceremonies. The 2026 edition marks the first time FIFA brings a full halftime show to the championship match.
How can I watch the halftime show for free?
UK fans watch free on BBC iPlayer or ITVX. Australian fans watch free on SBS. In the USA FOX broadcasts over the air for free with a digital antenna. The show airs as part of the World Cup Final broadcast.
The world cup 2026 halftime show brings football and music together on the biggest stage. July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium. Save this page for performer announcements and updates as they come.
