FIFA have sparked outrage among football fans after president Gianni Infantino confirmed that the 2026 World Cup final will feature a Super Bowl-style half-time show.
The acts performing on the show will be selected and curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
The move has been met with fierce criticism from football fans on social media, with many fearing the commercialisation of football’s biggest spectacle.
A Super Bowl-Style Spectacle for Football’s Biggest Event
The 2026 World Cup, hosted across the USA, Mexico, and Canada, will culminate with the final on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
In a bid to add more entertainment value, Infantino revealed that FIFA have partnered with Global Citizen to introduce the first-ever World Cup final half-time show.
“I can confirm the first-ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final in New York New Jersey, in association with Global Citizen,” Infantino announced on Instagram.
“This will be a historic moment for the World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world.”
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and band co-founder Phil Harvey will play a pivotal role in selecting artists for the show, which will also feature performances in Times Square during the final weekend of the tournament.
🚨 Gianni Infantino has confirmed the 2026 World Cup final will feature a half-time show.
What are your thoughts? pic.twitter.com/lusaUDo4a6
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 5, 2025
Extended Half-Time Break Likely
Infantino has yet to clarify whether the standard 15-minute half-time interval will be extended to accommodate the performances, but given that Super Bowl half-time shows often last up to 30 minutes, many fans suspect an increase is inevitable.
Football Fans React to World Cup Half-time Show Plans
FIFA’s decision has ignited backlash on social media, with a lot of football fans arguing that the sport’s traditions are being sacrificed for the sake of entertainment.
The controversy follows FIFA’s previous misstep at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the post-match ceremony was overshadowed by celebrity chef Salt Bae’s unwelcome intrusion during Argentina’s victory celebrations.
Many believe that football is becoming increasingly commercialised, with changes such as VAR, expanded tournaments, and congested schedules already frustrating traditional fans.
The idea of an extended half-time break for a concert has only fuelled further discontent. Here’s just a few of the reactions:
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed the 2026 World Cup final will have a half-time show.
The game is completely gone! Copying Americans will only ruin the World Cup’s legacy..
— The Screenshot Lad (@thescreenlad) March 5, 2025
Coldplay playing (or somehow picking artists for??) a World Cup HALFTIME show is already enough to make the 2026 World Cup the worst in history.
For the 204,568,942nd time, soccer is the world's most popular sport for a reason, stop trying to fix it https://t.co/HaNcA9NcKB
— dave braneck (@braneck) March 5, 2025
Having a halftime show for a world tournament in the final is absolutely absurd…….the rich has completely destroy the game we love.
— AKWASI (@akwasi_4) March 5, 2025
No thanks. Don't need this football isn't a pantomime the entertainment is on the pitch. If you need a half time show in a sport either the breaks are too long or the sport isn't entertaining enough. https://t.co/IfAn6zgLSk
— Chay (@Wrexhamchay) March 5, 2025
Half time show for the 2026 World Cup final. Just why? What’s the need for it? It’s an American thing so leave it to American sports.
Football fans want to watch a game of football, not football with a concert in the middle.
Infantino makes Blatter look good😭
— Craig 🇮🇪 (@mrcraigmoore1) March 5, 2025
