The 2026 World Cup final will feature the tournament’s first-ever halftime show
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NEED TO KNOW
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup will come to a close on Sunday, July 19
- The final match will kick off with a closing ceremony, and for the first time ever, include a halftime show
- Justin Bieber, Madonna and Post Malone are among the stars scheduled to perform
The 2026 World Cup final is almost here, and there are plenty of performances slated to ensure it’s one to remember.
After weeks of fans cheering on their favorite teams, this year’s tournament is coming to a close on Sunday, July 19, when Argentina and Spain will go head-to-head for the title. While the games have taken place in the United States, Mexico City and Canada over the last few weeks, the final match will take place at MetLife Stadium, known to FIFA as the New York New Jersey Stadium.
Shakira, Michael Bublé and Katy Perry helped kick off the event at the start of the summer, and according to FIFA World Cup Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi, the closing ceremony performances promise to match the energy.
“Echoing the spirit of the opening ceremonies, which welcomed the world to the greatest stage in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the closing ceremony will bring the FIFA World Cup 2026 full circle through music, culture and football, before we kick off the highly anticipated match that will crown the champions of this groundbreaking tournament,” he said in a press release.
Plus, for the first time ever, the World Cup final will include a halftime show.
Here’s everything to know about who is performing at the 2026 World Cup closing ceremony and halftime show.
Who is performing at the World Cup final closing ceremony?
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The closing ceremony, which kicks off at 1:30 p.m. ET, will begin with a special rendition of the U.S. national anthem by Jennifer Hudson.
Post Malone will headline the star-studded ceremony, which will also include performances from Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and IShowSpeed.
Actor Tom Cruise is also set to make a special appearance.
“We are thrilled to have so many stars taking to the pitch, from both the football and entertainment worlds,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a press release. “The closing ceremony will set the tone for a historic FIFA World Cup final, uniting the passion of 48 teams, 16 host cities and millions of fans on one unforgettable stage.”
Who is performing at the World Cup final halftime show?
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For the first time in history, the 2026 World Cup will feature a halftime show, which will be curated by Coldplay‘s Chris Martin and will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
The co-headliners include Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and BTS.
“The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can. I’m grateful to be part of this Halftime Show, and even more grateful knowing it’s already helping expand access to education for children around the world,” Bieber said in a statement.
Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, PS22 Chorus and Coldplay will also join for the show, which will additionally include appearances by characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets.
How long will the World Cup 2026 halftime show last?
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FIFA previously said in its press release that the halftime performance was slated to be approximately 11 minutes, but it has not yet revealed the total length of the halftime show.
However, The Athletic reported that it would last around 20 minutes.
According to the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the lawmakers of the game, halftime should not exceed 15 minutes, per The Athletic. According to the outlet, the board’s rulebook says that the break “may be altered only with the referee’s permission.”
How can I watch the World Cup 2026 halftime show performances?
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FIFA’s website notes that fans can watch the headline show through their local broadcasters, including but not limited to Fox and Fox One. Meanwhile, Spanish-language coverage will be available on Peacock.
For fans in the U.K., ITV and BBC are planning to air the halftime show, per The Guardian.