ZURICH: The 2026 World Cup final will feature its first ever halftime show, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday.

The 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

The tournament will feature 104 matches instead of the previous 64 games, including an additional knockout round.

The final will be played at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, home of NFL teams New York Giants and New York Jets.

“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 said on Instagram.

FIFA will be working with international education and advocacy organisation Global Citizen as well as British band Coldplay for the halftime show.

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2025