Chris Martin directs an unprecedented show at halftime of the 2026 World Cup final

Chris Martin, the leader of the band Coldplay, is the artistic director of this halftime show, unprecedented in World Cup history and inspired by the American football Super Bowl.

For an unprecedented show, FIFA chose the biggest music stars. Singers Madonna and Shakira and the K-pop group BTS will headline the concert organized at halftime of the 2026 World Cup final, the organizers announced on Thursday, May 14.

The conclusion of this world cup, co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States, will take place at the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, and the organizers have chosen to be inspired for the first time by the famous halftime show of the American Super Bowl.

Chris Martin, the leader of the band Coldplay and artistic director of this show, announced the lineup in a video posted on Instagram alongside puppets from the children’s program “Sesame Street,” including Elmo and Kermit. While this is the first time a concert is organized during the World Cup final, this format was tested during the Club World Cup in July 2025 at the same stadium and significantly extended the halftime break.

The 2026 World Cup, featuring 48 participating teams for the first time, kicks off on June 11 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It will have three opening ceremonies before the first matches of the selections from these three countries, which will also feature many musical guests. Didier Deschamps is set to unveil the French national team selection on Thursday on the “8 PM” show on TF1.