By BigEyeUg Team
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will make history before a ball is even kicked. Spain and Argentina meet at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19, and for the first time ever, the World Cup final will have an official half-time show, along with a star-studded closing ceremony.
The idea is inspired by the Super Bowl. FIFA is mixing music, football, and charity work to close out the biggest World Cup in history. The tournament ran for 39 days across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The Closing Ceremony
Before kick-off, fans will get a big pre-match show. Post Malone leads the closing ceremony, which celebrates the tournament’s journey through all three host nations.
Actor Tom Cruise and streamer IShowSpeed will both make appearances. British singer Robbie Williams is also on the bill, along with Italian singer Laura Pausini and Nicole Scherzinger, formerly of the Pussycat Dolls.
Jennifer Hudson will close the pre-match segment by singing the national anthem just before kick-off.
FIFA has not shared full details of what each act will do. The organization has asked fans with tickets to arrive early, saying the crowd will play an active role in the show.
Half-Time Show Lineup
The half-time show itself is headlined by four huge names: Madonna, Shakira, BTS, and Justin Bieber. Bieber was the last artist confirmed, joining a lineup already built around the other three.
Burna Boy will also perform. He sang the tournament’s official song, “Dai Dai,” at the opening ceremony, and he will now share the half-time stage with acclaimed conductor Gustavo Dudamel.
Uganda’s own Ghetto Kids (TGK) dance group will step onto the world’s biggest football stage for the first time. The group features alongside Shakira and Burna Boy in “Dai Dai.”
The PS22 Chorus, a children’s choir from a Staten Island elementary school, will perform as part of the show together with Coldplay. Coldplay’s frontman, Chris Martin, is curating the entire performance.
Adding a family touch, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and characters from Sesame Street will also feature in the segment.
Many expect the interval to run longer than a normal 15-minute half-time break, to give crews time to safely set up and clear the stage.
FIFA has not yet released a final schedule, but the musical performance itself is expected to last around 11 to 20 minutes.
Co-headliners: Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Justin Bieber Also performing: Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, PS22 Chorus with Coldplay Curator: Chris Martin (Coldplay) Guest appearances: Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Sesame Street characters Producers: Global Citizen, with Live Nation and Done and Dusted.
Why FIFA Is Doing This for the First Time
FIFA president Gianni Infantino first announced the plan for a half-time show, calling it a historic moment for the World Cup final.
The show supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to expand education and football programs for children.
FIFA is donating $1 from every ticket sold across the tournament’s 104 matches to the fund. More than $50 million had already been raised before the final.
Burna Boy said representing Africa on the first-ever World Cup final half-time show was a privilege tied directly to that education mission.
The format is different from the Champions League final, which usually has a pre-match concert instead of a half-time show. FIFA has instead modeled this event closely on the NFL’s Super Bowl.
How to Watch on DStv in Uganda
Fans in Uganda can watch the final, including the closing ceremony and half-time show, live on DStv. SuperSport is broadcasting all 104 matches of the tournament, including the final, across every DStv package, from DStv Access to DStv Premium.
For those who need a decoder, DStv is offering the following prices:
- DStv Standard decoder: UGX 20,000
- DStv Zapper: UGX 15,000
- DStv Explora: UGX 559,000
- DStv full kit: UGX 45,000
- GOtv decoder (Gotenna): UGX 15,000
The match can also be streamed through the DStv Stream app or the MyDStv app for fans who want to watch on the go.
We will keep you posted