In case there’s still any doubt about what sports entertainment looks like in the United States, just look to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals for the host nation’s influence.
For the first time in the tournament’s history, FIFA is holding a full half-time show at the World Cup finals. The new addition features past NFL and Super Bowl entertainment features, and includes an expanded performance schedule and a list of headliners. That’s right, there is not one star in the tent, but several, and there will be featured artists.
There will even be cameos from popular American cultural icons, the Muppets, and Sesame Street characters, who helped make the announcement for the half-hour show a few months ago.
The massive production was announced back in May and will be directed by Coldplay’s Chris Martin. The show also partnered with Global Citizen, in support of FIFA’s Global Citizen Fund, to raise $100 million for “access to quality education and football opportunities” for children around the world.
So, who exactly is playing, and why? And where can you watch? We have it for you, as it happens in three different opening events at the beginning of the tournament.
When is the World Cup break?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 19, between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The World Cup halftime show should, in theory, start at halftime of the match.
While soccer usually has two 45-minute halves, with a 15-minute halftime, this year’s tournament included mandatory water breaks during each half. So the primetime show may begin its set around 3:45 pm ET, depending on the primetime slot.
Borrowing a page from the NFL’s Super Bowl entertainment playbook, FIFA officially extends the entire halftime period. Instead of a 15-minute stoppage in play, the last half of the 2026 World Cup is now extended to 30 minutes to accommodate the set-up and separation of the entertainment stage.
Who is playing?
In true FIFA spirit, the halftime show has something for everyone. From pop music lovers, sung in English, Spanish, and Korean, to cool pop. For people who hate fun and excitement, everyone can sing and be happy, or make weird judgments if that’s your thing.
During the May announcement, Coldplay’s Chris Martin announced the original cast with Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster and Elmo, The Muppets’ Kermit the Frog, and Ms. Piggy. The three main headliners were Shakira, Madonna, and BTS.
In the build-up to the World Cup, other acts were announced, including Burna Boy and Ugandan dance group Triplets Ghetto to perform Shakira’s most popular World Cup song “Dai Dai,” along with Justin Bieber.
To emphasize the local specialty, the PS 22 choir will also perform, and Gustavo Dudamel — acclaimed Venezuelan conductor and Music and Artistic Director of the New York Philharmonic — will also perform.
How do I watch a World Cup halftime match?
Halftime is expected to start following the first half. The World Cup final will be broadcast on Fox in the USA, and you can stream the games on fubo (try it for free).
Here’s a quick overview of how to watch Sunday’s final:
View information
Date: Sunday, July 19 | Time: 3pm ET
Location: MetLife Stadium — East Rutherford, NJ
TV: Fox (Eng), Telemundo (Spa) | Live streaming: Fubo (Try it for free)
Possible: Spain +125; Draw +200; Argentina +254
How long is the halftime show?
While the total intermission is approximately 30 minutes, the show will run for approximately 11 minutes. Stage setup and splits bring the full time closer to 20 to 25 minutes, with a short modified warm-up time if needed, instead of the usual 15-minute time of the past.
Where can I respond to a short-term show?
Really, anywhere on the internet. It is an undeniable fact that the 2026 World Cup has been attracting a lot of viewers, and the half-hour show will get a lot of eyes with a lot of heads.
While you can just pull out your take on a random corner of the internet. We invite you to follow along with our World Cup halftime live blog on CBSSports.com. There, you can find live updates, comments, reactions, and highlights of the halftime show.
Golazo 48 Nations: Follow the World Cup all summer long
Golazo 48 Nations is your one-stop access to all of the World Cup, covering wall-to-wall coverage across the CBS Sports Golazo Network. From the first whistle to the last match, the entire Golazo team will guide the fans throughout the tournament.
Each day begins with Morning Footysetting the stage with the latest news, storylines, and previews before the games start. Since then, Golazo Matchday again Golazo Matchnight bring reaction and analysis as the action unfolds. Fans can sing along to coverage of USMNT games with Call It What You Want team, and reactions to some of the marquee matchups.
The day wraps up with Score linea comprehensive nightly summary of every result, moment, and story from every tournament. In total, Golazo Network will deliver up to 12 hours of live programming each matchday, available across Golazo Network and its YouTube channel.
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