​For the first time in its 96-year history, the World Cup final will feature a half-time show. While opening and closing ceremonies have become commonplace, fans have never before had to endure a halftime performance in the sport’s premier match. Yet the 2026 tournament changes that tradition. There will indeed be a halftime show during the World Cup final, and here is everything you need to know.
The latest artist to join the lineup is Canadian superstar Justin Bieber. He will perform alongside a roster that already includes Madonna, the K-pop group BTS, and Shakira—the late-1990s and early-2000s World Cup music icon—at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday, July 19. The confirmed performers are: Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, PS22 Chorus, Coldplay’s Sesame Street puppets, and a collaboration titled PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay. The show will be staged at the venue commonly known as the New York-New Jersey Station, delivering a globally anticipated halftime spectacle in a setting that has hosted numerous major events.
This halftime performance is linked to a charitable initiative. The show will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a program designed to broaden access to quality education and football opportunities for children around the world, with a fundraising target of $100 million. FIFA reports progress toward that goal, stating that $50 million has already been raised, with $1 from every ticket sold for this summer’s tournament being contributed to the Fund. This philanthropic angle adds a social dimension to the spectacle, aligning the musical interlude with a broader purpose beyond entertainment.
In terms of scheduling, the World Cup final is set to kick off at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (8:00 p.m. British Summer Time). The first half is expected to end around 3:45 p.m. to 3:50 p.m., depending on the amount of stoppage time. The halftime show is planned to run for approximately 11 minutes. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) guidelines cap halftime breaks at 15 minutes, ensuring that the second half will begin promptly, with kickoff anticipated around 4:00 p.m. or 4:05 p.m. local time.
For fans following the broader World Cup storylines, other articles underscore the whirl of excitement surrounding the tournament—from European fans marveling at the scale of the event to tourists navigating new experiences in the United States. The inclusion of a halftime show has generated a mix of reactions, with some praising the global spectacle and others curious about how such a performance will fit within the sport’s traditional rhythm. Regardless of perspective, the 2026 World Cup final will mark a notable departure from past practice, blending sport, music, and philanthropy into a single, globally watched moment.