For the first time in 96 years, the men’s World Cup final gets its own live halftime show. The plans are ambitious and elaborate. The critics are out in full force.
While Spain and Argentina regroup with a world championship on the line, FIFA will transform its pitch into a full concert stage. BTS, Justin Bieber, Madonna and Shakira are the co-headliners of this far-reaching lineup, which was chosen by Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
On top of that, there’s a separate World Cup closing ceremony going down at 1:30 p.m. ET, 90 minutes before the 3 p.m. kickoff. That medley includes headliner Post Malone, actor Tom Cruise, singer Laura Pausini and streamer IShowSpeed.
Those are a loaded few sentences. So, here’s how to make sense of the grand halftime experiment.
How to watch the FIFA World Cup final halftime show
Venue: MetLife Stadium — East Rutherford, N.J. (New York/New Jersey Stadium)
Date: Sunday, June 19
Halftime show start (estimated): Around 3:45-4:15 p.m. ET
TV (U.S.): Fox and Telemundo
TV (U.K.): BBC and ITV
Streaming (U.S.): Fubo (Stream Now)
Fox and Telemundo are free over the air. Fox is also available with a Fox One subscription. Telemundo is also available with a Peacock subscription.
The halftime show controversy
In short, folks are taking umbrage with the breaking of traditions and the changing of conditions. The prior 22 World Cups did not have a halftime show, mostly because match intermissions are short.
The International Football Association Board’s rules say that halftime must be less than 15 minutes unless the refs permit an extension. Per Dan Sheldon and Adam Crafton of The Athletic, FIFA is pushing for a 20-minute break at Sunday’s final. That means more idle time for the players, which some see as a steep and unnecessary change at the most important match.
The organization previously said that this halftime performance would be 11 minutes long.
FIFA tried out its halftime festivities at last year’s Club World Cup, which was also played at MetLife Stadium. Among the performers were Tems, J Balvin and Doja Cat. But that set wasn’t on the pitch itself. Stage construction and deconstruction risk damage to the field, which players at this venue have already criticized.
FIFA to extend half-time for World Cup final | World Cup Daily Briefing
Megan Feringa and Luke Bosher
The halftime show performersBTS (co-headliner)
The popular K-pop group returns after military conscription forced its multi-year hiatus. In March, South Korea’s commercial juggernaut released its comeback album, “Arirang.” Previously, band member Jung Kook performed at the 2022 World Cup opening ceremony in Qatar. His “Dreamers” was an official tournament anthem.
BTS’ home nation bowed out in the group stage.
Justin Bieber (co-headliner)
Bieber was a late addition to the lineup, part of an expanded announcement earlier this month. He’ll be the only artist representing co-host Canada — though Mexico, another co-host, doesn’t have any notable reps. Bieber also headlined Coachella in April.
Throughout the years, the former teenage sensation has been photographed at Arsenal and Chelsea matches. And he met Lionel Messi during a Barcelona training session in 2016.
Bieber’s Canada notched its first-ever knockout win, but ultimately fell to Morocco in the round of 16.
Madonna (co-headliner)
Is “Lucky Star” about Lamine Yamal? Who’s to say? Madonna actually has diverse rooting interests across the sport. She’s been spotted at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea men’s matches, and she’s supported her daughters with the Tottenham U14 girls’ squad. Madonna moved to Portugal when her son joined the youth program at Benfica. She is currently dating Akeem Morris, a footballer from Jamaica. She’ll be the biggest American star on Sunday’s stage.
The USMNT reached the round of 16 before it was eliminated by Belgium.
Shakira (co-headliner)
Shakira leads the group in FIFA bona fides. According to Billboard, her 2010 song “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” is the most successful FIFA anthem ever. For what it’s worth, she performed at the conclusion of the 2010 final … when Spain last reigned supreme.
The Colombian singer has another spot on the current World Cup soundtrack with “Dai Dai,” which features Burna Boy. They did that song together at the Mexico City opening ceremony. Shakira was in the stadium for Argentina-Austria and France-Morocco, and she celebrated Colombia’s win over DR Congo backstage during her tour.
Colombia later took a tough penalty shootout loss from Switzerland in the round of 16.
Burna Boy
Last month, he hit “Dai Dai” with Shakira before the opening match. In 2023, Burna Boy gave his diamond chain to Thierry Henry during the UEFA Champions League final. He used a full band to play “Last Last” at the kickoff show for that match, too.
His native Nigeria missed the 2026 World Cup cut, but Africa did field a record 10 teams.
Coldplay
FIFA clearly trusts Martin to curate its halftime experiments. The Coldplay frontman also made the calls for last year’s Club World Cup production. That show, like the forthcoming one, was in conjunction with anti-poverty advocate Global Citizen. Martin himself supports his hometown Exeter City, an English League Two team.
The Brits were surely devastated by England’s late semifinal collapse to Argentina. Ironically, that was the matchup Martin predicted for the 2022 World Cup final.
The rest of the ensemble
The program features Gustavo Dudamel, a Venezuelan conductor who has helmed the Los Angeles Philharmonic for almost two decades. He takes over as the New York Philharmonic’s artistic director in September.
Coldplay is joined by the PS22 Chorus, an elementary school choir from Staten Island. There are cameos from “Sesame Street” characters and the Muppets as well, because no swing is too big for this show.
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