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The 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium will make history as the first to feature a half-time show.

Jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, this World Cup has already shown a strong inclination toward appealing to the American audience. However, the inclusion of a musical performance during the final’s interval has drawn both excitement and debate.

There have been concerns that the show could extend the half-time interval considerably, potentially affecting the flow of the match.

Six performers have been confirmed for the event, which is expected to resemble the high-profile half-time entertainment seen each year at the NFL’s Super Bowl.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has called the upcoming show a “groundbreaking spectacle”, adding that it will “celebrate football, music and our shared values, ensuring a legacy that transcends the final whistle.”

Before kick-off, the official closing ceremony will take place, featuring performances by Robbie Williams and Jennifer Hudson.

The half-time performance has been curated by Coldplay’s lead vocalist Chris Martin, who has assembled an impressive line-up of global music icons.

Shakira and Burna Boy, who co-wrote the official anthem for this World Cup, will both take the stage. The duo already performed an extended set earlier in the tournament before Canada’s round-of-32 clash against South Africa.

Pop superstars Madonna and Justin Bieber are also set to perform, alongside K-pop giants BTS and acclaimed Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, who is associated with the prestigious New York Philharmonic.

Broadcasters expect that the half-time break during the Spain vs Argentina final could last as long as 30 minutes, with the musical segment itself running for approximately 11 minutes.

According to the laws of the game, the interval should not exceed 15 minutes. However, since the show will be staged directly on the pitch, additional time will be required for both setup and dismantling.

The previous year’s Club World Cup final also featured a half-time performance, which extended the break to 24 minutes. That event was staged in the stands, reducing the need for on-field preparation.

The World Cup final will be broadcast live on both BBC and ITV, and both networks will air the half-time show.

Fans can tune in to BBC One and ITV1 or stream the coverage via BBC iPlayer and ITVX. The performance is expected to start immediately after the first half concludes.