World Cup 2026 to Feature First-Ever Halftime Show with Global Celebrities

The 2026 World Cup will introduce a halftime show for the final match. This is the first time such an event will feature celebrities from six continents to celebrate soccer, often referred to as the ‘beautiful game.’

The show will commence at around 3:45 PM ET and will be broadcasted in the U.S. on Fox and Fox One, with a Spanish broadcast on Telemundo. Viewers can also stream it on the Fox Sports app and in Spanish on Peacock. The performance is expected to last about 11 minutes.

Coldplay’s Chris Martin selected the artists for this prominent event. The lineup includes Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, Burna Boy, BTS, Coldplay, and the Muppets Kermit and Miss Piggy. Additionally, renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel, musicians from the New York Philharmonic, and the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela will participate. The dance troupe Ghetto Kids from Kampala, the singer Emmanuel Kelly, and the PS22 Chorus from Staten Island will also perform. The time constraint hints at creative elements like singalongs and mashups to ensure a dynamic presentation.

The event supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. This charity aims to collect $100 million to provide education and soccer access globally to children. FIFA has already raised half of this goal, with contributions including $1 from every World Cup ticket sold. Despite being a small fraction of the ticket cost, with initial prices near $3,000, it plays a role in the funding effort.

Soccer holds the title of the world’s most popular sport. The Library of Congress notes over 240 million registered players globally and billions of fans. FIFA has reported record-breaking viewership for the 2026 tournament. Prior to the quarter-finals, video views across digital platforms reached 20 billion, starkly higher than the 125.6 million viewers of the last Super Bowl.

In the U.S., soccer continues to gain popularity. A survey by The Economist indicates it now ranks as the third favorite sport, surpassing baseball. This halftime show, akin to those in American football, seems designed to capture attention and maintain viewer engagement throughout the match.