The 2026 FIFA World Cup final, scheduled for July 19th at New York New Jersey Stadium, is poised to be a spectacle of both sport and entertainment. Beyond the highly anticipated match, a host of global music and screen stars are slated to perform during the pre-game closing ceremony and the inaugural World Cup final halftime show.
The festivities will commence approximately 90 minutes before the 3 p.m. ET kick-off with a closing ceremony designed to commemorate the journey of the 48 participating teams across the three host nations and 16 cities. Post Malone has been confirmed as the headline act for this ceremony. He will be joined by a diverse array of personalities including British singer-songwriter Robbie Williams, actor Tom Cruise, Pussycat Dolls vocalist Nicole Scherzinger, Italian singer-songwriter Laura Pausini, and streamer IShowSpeed. FIFA has encouraged early arrival for fans, suggesting they have an active role in the show.
Following the closing ceremony, EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson will perform the National Anthem, just days after her rendition of “God Bless America” at the MLB All-Star game in Philadelphia. This leads into the main event, with the players’ break featuring FIFA’s first-ever World Cup final halftime show.
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has been entrusted with curating this landmark halftime performance. The lineup boasts an impressive roster of international talent, including Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, Burna Boy – who also performed their official FIFA World Cup song “Dai Dai” at the opening ceremony – Gustavo Dudamel, and K-pop sensation BTS. The PS 22 choir from Staten Island, New York, will also join Coldplay on stage, with appearances from several beloved Sesame Street characters also anticipated.
The halftime show is rumoured to last around 11 minutes, which could extend the players' break beyond 20 minutes once setup and takedown are factored in. Beyond the entertainment, the initiative also has a philanthropic goal, with the halftime show intending to raise funds for FIFA’s Global Citizen Education Fund. The fund aims to collect $100 million to broaden access to quality education and sports for children globally.