Anticipating the Final Match and Halftime Performances
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final is set to feature a match between defending champion Argentina and Spain. This highly anticipated event will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, temporarily known as New York-New Jersey Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.
Beyond the competition on the field, the final will include a significant musical event: the FIFA Final Halftime Show. This spectacle is expected to feature co-headliners Madonna, Shakira, BTS, and Justin Bieber. The event could potentially extend the traditional 15-minute halftime break to as long as 30 minutes, a departure from typical soccer regulations.
The musical performances are not limited to the halftime show. A closing ceremony will precede the kickoff, and Jennifer Hudson is scheduled to perform the U.S. national anthem. This inclusion of the U.S. national anthem breaks with World Cup precedent, as host countries typically do not have their anthems played during the final match.
The Halftime Show and its Purpose
The FIFA Final Halftime Show is designed in the style of the Super Bowl halftime show. It will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aimed at raising over $100 million to enhance access to soccer and education for children globally. FIFA president Gianni Infantino stated that the show will highlight a greater purpose by supporting this fund and the shared mission to expand educational and football opportunities for children worldwide.
The show’s curator, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, was featured in a video announcing the plans, alongside characters from Sesame Street. The video showed Martin seeking help from Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Animal to find major stars for the performance, with suggestions including Madonna, BTS, and Shakira.
The lineup for the halftime show also includes additional performers. The PS22 Chorus, an elementary school choir from New York City, will perform with Coldplay. Singer-songwriter Burna Boy is slated to perform with Shakira. Other participants include Gustavo Dudamel, music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and iconic characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets.
Burna Boy expressed his privilege and responsibility in representing Africa on the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show. The show is being produced by Global Citizen in collaboration with Live Nation and Done + Dusted.
Shakira’s Return and the Extended Halftime
Shakira‘s involvement as a co-headliner for the FIFA halftime show marks her return to World Cup collaborations. She was the official voice of the 2010 World Cup with her song “Waka Waka (Time for Africa)” and recorded “La La La (Brazil 2014)” for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Her first World Cup appearance was in 2006, performing “Hips Don’t Lie” with Wyclef Jean during the closing ceremony.
This year, Shakira has made a return with “Dai Dai,” featuring Burna Boy, which is the official 2026 FIFA World Cup song. This track, blending Latin pop with Afrobeats, is described by FIFA as a vibrant celebration of football, culture, and unity. Shakira mentioned that collaborating with Burna Boy felt like the “cherry on top” of the experience, noting that his voice elevates the song. The duo also performed “Dai Dai” at the FIFA World Cup opening match in Mexico City.
Shakira views her performance at the halftime show as an opportunity to highlight the need for greater access to education for children. She founded her charity, the Barefoot Foundation, in 1997, which focuses on providing quality education to impoverished communities in Colombia. She stated that her life’s work of making songs and building schools converges at this World Cup, and she is excited to work for children’s access to quality education.
The potential extension of the halftime break to 30 minutes for the performance has been reported by the Times of London. This duration exceeds the standard 15-minute break specified by the laws of the game, governed by IFAB (the International Football Association Board), which cites player welfare concerns for the shorter break. IFAB previously rejected calls to extend halftime to 25 minutes in 2021 due to concerns about the negative impact of prolonged inactivity on players. However, extended breaks for performances have occurred before, such as at the Club World Cup final last summer, which also took place at MetLife Stadium and featured artists like J Balvin, Doja Cat, Tems, and Emmanuel Kelly.
The Final Match Details
The World Cup Final will see Argentina, the defending champions, face Spain. Argentina secured their spot in the final with a 2-1 victory over England in the semifinal, scoring two late goals, including one in stoppage time. Spain advanced by defeating France 2-0 in their semifinal match. This final will mark the first time the defending champions of Europe and South America have met in a World Cup final.
The final match and associated ceremonies will be broadcast by Fox in English and Telemundo in Spanish. Fox will begin its coverage with a four-hour pregame show starting at 11 a.m. ET, while Telemundo and Peacock will start their coverage at 9 a.m. ET with a two-hour entertainment special. The closing ceremony is scheduled to begin 90 minutes before kickoff on July 19.
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Source: yahoo.com
