World Cup half-time show – who is performing, how long will it be, and how to watch

AS if the World Cup final wasn’t already exciting enough, this year the tournament showpiece is set to feature an all-star half-time show Here’s everything you need to know about TONIGHT’S blockbuster spectacle, so you won’t miss a moment of the action. Madonna will take to the stage as part of the World Cup final half-time show Credit: Getty Justin Bieber is also headlining Credit: Getty Who is performing at the World Cup final half-time show? A Super Bowl style half-time performance curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin will be staged at half time during the World Cup 2026 final. It is the first time ever a World Cup final has featured a half-time show. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! An elite list of co-headliners confirmed for the mid-match interval includes Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, and South Korean boyband BTS. The incredible line-up will also feature Burna Boy, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus – a choir of school children from Staten Island – joined by Coldplay. read more on the world cup Characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets are also set to make an appearance. The half-time performance supports the Fifa Global Citizen Education Fund. It is aiming to raise £75million ($100million) to expand access to education and football for children worldwide, with a dollar from every match ticket sold going towards the fund. Fifa president Gianni Infantino said: “When it comes to what the world needs, there is nothing more important than education. Most read in World Cup “We are proud to have Justin Bieber joining Madonna, Shakira and BTS to co-headline the Fifa World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show in support of the Fifa Global Citizen Education Fund and our mission to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children around the world. “Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel and PS 22 Chorus ft. Coldplay will also join and play a key role in conveying a powerful message of unity and hope to billions of people worldwide. “As the world unites for the most significant football match in history on Sunday, 19 July 2026 at the New York New Jersey Stadium, this groundbreaking spectacle, curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay, will celebrate football, music and our shared values, ensuring a legacy that transcends the final whistle.” How long is the World Cup final half-time show? The musical segment of the show is set to last roughly 11 minutes. But the full half-time interval is expected to stretch to between 20 and 30 minutes to accommodate the stage being built and cleared. Law 7 of the Laws of the Game states that halftime should not exceed 15 minutes. But it also allows competition organisers to set the duration and permits changes as long as the referee agrees. How can I watch the World Cup final half-time show on TV? The World Cup final is being shown on both BBC One and ITV1 in the UK. While the American audience will have to tune in to FOX to catch the entire action. Coverage from both broadcasters is currently scheduled to start from 7pm, with the final kicking off at 8pm. ITV bosses told The Sun they will broadcast the half-time show in full, as well as the usual football analysis. While a BBC spokesperson said: “Plans for the final will be announced in due course.” Comment now