FIFA does something unprecedented in the 2026 World Cup final, how will the Russian team be?

"I can confirm that the first-ever halftime show at the World Cup final will take place in New York, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium. This will be a historic moment for the World Cup and a fitting show for the world's biggest sporting event," Infantino wrote on his Instagram account on March 6.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino changes World Cup final history

The halftime show is a unique program of the famous American sports Super Bowl (football) final match. The program usually takes place in the middle of the final match, is organized very elaborately, and gathers the most famous stars in the American entertainment industry to perform.

The halftime show at this year's Super Bowl on February 10 attracted 135.5 million viewers worldwide.

The World Cup finals have never had a half-time show. Most of them are just pre-final performances. So this change will certainly be strange for football fans around the world.

FIFA has not confirmed which famous singers or bands will perform at halftime at the 2026 World Cup final, but Mr Infantino revealed that English band Coldplay with frontmen Chris Martin and Phil Harvey will work for the event.

The halftime show at this year's Super Bowl took place on February 10.

“I would also like to thank Chris Martin and Phil Harvey of Coldplay, who will be working with us at FIFA to finalise the line-up of artists who will perform during the halftime show, as well as in Times Square in New York City.

"During the third-place play-off and the final, we will take over Times Square. These will be two incredible games, 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," Infantino added.

According to AS (Spain), FIFA's huge change will bring the World Cup more in line with the style of the Super Bowl, an event that has become a commercial and cultural force in recent decades in the US.

"The World Cup is the most watched sporting event in the world and the 2022 tournament in Qatar attracted a total of more than 5.4 billion viewers. With the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, FIFA is clearly keen to maximise interest in its flagship tournament by adapting it to the tastes of the majority of the North American public," AS said.

Meanwhile, regarding the future of the Russian team, whether or not they will return to the World Cup. According to the world press, FIFA has not made any official moves so far. Therefore, in reality, the Russian team has absolutely no chance of competing in the 2026 World Cup qualifying round in Europe, which will begin at the end of March.

Recently, FIFA President, Mr. Infantino expressed: "I hope in the future, and FIFA wishes, that all countries in the world can participate in the biggest festival of football".

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/fifa-lam-dieu-chua-tung-co-o-chung-ket-world-cup-2026-doi-tuyen-nga-ra-sao-185250306081912961.htm