FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the initiative during a conference in Dallas, describing it as a “historic moment” for the World Cup. In an Instagram post, Infantino confirmed the collaboration with advocacy organization Global Citizen and revealed that Martin, along with Coldplay manager Phil Harvey, will help curate the lineup of performers for the halftime show and other events.
“I can confirm the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA World Cup final in New York New Jersey, in association with Global Citizen. This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world,” Infantino wrote.
While Infantino did not confirm whether Coldplay will perform, he expressed gratitude to Martin and Harvey for their involvement in selecting artists. “I also want to thank Chris Martin and Phil Harvey of Coldplay, who will be working with us at FIFA to finalize the list of artists who will perform during the halftime show, as well as at Times Square,” he added.
The announcement also included plans for a FIFA “takeover” of New York City’s Times Square during the final weekend of the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. However, Infantino did not clarify whether the halftime show would require extending the traditional 15-minute break.
This ambitious initiative marks a significant shift for the World Cup, blending the worlds of sports and entertainment in a way that mirrors the spectacle of the Super Bowl. With Chris Martin’s creative influence, the 2026 World Cup final promises to deliver a memorable and star-studded experience for fans worldwide.