Global Citizen to Produce Halftime Show for FIFA World Cup Final, Starting in 2026

As a seasoned moviegoer with a soft spot for sports dramas that inspire change, I am absolutely thrilled about FIFA and Global Citizen teaming up to bring a Super Bowl-style halftime show to the FIFA World Cup final game. Having grown up watching international football tournaments and advocating for social causes, this partnership feels like a perfect blend of my two passions.


FIFA and Global Citizen have joined forces to bring a Super Bowl-like halftime spectacle to the finale of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 2026.

On Saturday, during the yearly Global Citizen Festival in Central Park, the two involved parties made an announcement: Global Citizen, a group focused on advocacy and creating entertainment events to combat global hunger, will be responsible for producing the halftime show as part of a four-year contract. The inaugural event is set to take place during the World Cup final match at New York/New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026.

The announcement was made during Global Citizen’s annual festival in New York City, by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans, and one of their official ambassadors, actor Hugh Jackman, with DJ Khalid and Gayle King present. They highlighted that the partnership between FIFA and Global Citizen is not merely for putting on a performance, but to work towards eradicating extreme poverty and enhancing opportunities for children worldwide in sports and education.

There’s been debate about whether a halftime show would be appropriate for a globally broadcast match, with some questioning its feasibility for both the World Cup and Champions League final. However, FIFA and Global Citizen have finally given their verdict: It was as predictable as many anticipated (except for those who believed European fans wouldn’t endure longer halftimes like those common in American football).

Before the World Cup final’s first half kicks off in 2026, a four-year collaboration will begin, with Global Citizen participating in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. This is an upcoming tournament to be held next year across various American cities, featuring 32 clubs from each of the six continental confederations. The ten host cities for these games, unveiled at the festival over the weekend, are Miami, Seattle, Los Angeles, Orlando, Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Washington, and Philadelphia.

FIFA’s goal is to foster football growth globally and make a beneficial difference in society, according to Infantino. With this partnership between FIFA and Global Citizen, we aim to merge the realms of sports and entertainment to actively work towards a better world. This collaboration will lead us to a set of joint projects that will facilitate access to football and inspire fans to contribute positively in their local communities.

Evans emphasized the statistic published by FIFA, stating that approximately 6 out of every 10 people worldwide participated in some way during the last World Cup final. He noted this vast audience as an exceptional chance, saying, “In partnership with FIFA, we possess a remarkable opportunity to expand our community of active participants… FIFA and Global Citizen hold a shared vision to collaborate with football enthusiasts globally, aiming to motivate positive actions towards eradicating extreme poverty by guaranteeing that every child has access to quality education.

Under this collaboration, football enthusiasts will be invited to engage with Global Citizen’s key concerns. Their activism will be rewarded with special offers such as obtaining tickets for FIFA Club World Cup games. Further information about these opportunities will be shared over the next few months, according to the organizations.

The Global Citizen Festival set for Central Park on Saturday was planned to feature performances by Post Malone, Doja Cat, Lisa of Blackpink, and Rauw Alejandro after the World Cup announcement. Artists who performed earlier in the day included Jelly Roll, Benson Boone, and Raye. (Paraphrased)

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2024-09-29 01:46