FIFA have confirmed plans to introduce a Super Bowl-style halftime show at the 2026 World Cup final, the first of its kind for soccer’s global spectacle.

The news was announced on Wednesday by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who revealed that there will be a “list of artists” appearing at the game.

“I can confirm the first ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final in New York New Jersey,” Infantino wrote on Instagram. “This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world.”

The performers have not yet been confirmed but we do know that British band Coldplay have been enlisted to help plan the spectacle. Infantino confirmed that Chris Martin and Phil Harvey will be working on the event, which includes a “Times Square takeover” across the weekend of the World Cup final.

“We also spoke about how FIFA will takeover Times Square for the final weekend of the FIFA World Cup in 2026, during both the bronze final match and final,” Infantino added. “These will be two incredible matches, featuring some of the best players in the world, and what better way to celebrate them than in the historic Times Square in New York City.

“I also want to thank Chris Martin and Phil Harvey of Coldplay, who will be working with us at FIFA to finalise the list of artists who will perform during the halftime show, as well as at Times Square.”

The move will bring the World Cup more in-line with the Super Bowl, which has become a commercial and cultural juggernaut in recent decades. The World Cup is often cited as the most-watched sporting event in the world and the 2022 tournament drew an astonishing 5.4 billion total views. It only comes around once every four years but FIFA is clearly eager to maximise the interest in its flagship competition.