The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final will introduce a major first: a halftime performance modeled after the Super Bowl. And according to betting markets, Puerto Rican megastar Bad Bunny is the current favorite to headline the World Cup Halftime Show.
With the final set to take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, just outside New York City, the announcement has triggered major buzz across the Tri-State Area.
This would mark the first time FIFA adds an entertainment performance to its championship match. This signals a bold cultural shift for the world’s biggest sporting event. As music and sports increasingly overlap, FIFA is hoping to tap into pop culture’s power to engage broader audiences.
Bad Bunny tops the list for the 2026 World Cup Halftime Show
The betting site OLBG.com has placed Bad Bunny as the frontrunner with 2/1 odds (33.3%) to perform during the halftime show. He’s followed by Drake (9/2) and Shakira (11/2).
All three artists bring global recognition, but Bad Bunny’s Latin American roots and recent stadium tours give him a strong edge. Especially given the tournament’s multicultural appeal across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Other contenders include Ed Sheeran, Pitbull, and Calvin Harris, all sitting between 6/1 and 7/1 odds. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has reportedly been tapped by FIFA to help curate the final list of performers.
Can Bad Bunny actually perform?
While Bad Bunny tops the odds, there’s a catch: his 2026 “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” tour will have him in Europe during the summer. If those dates can’t shift, FIFA may need to go with another artist, opening the door for a surprise headliner.
The World Cup meets pop culture in a big way
MetLife Stadium will host the World Cup Final on July 19, 2026, making NYC the epicenter of this global event. A halftime performance would draw even more attention to the region, potentially boosting tourism, media coverage, and local business.
From the Bronx to Brooklyn, fans will be watching not just for goals, but for who takes the stage at halftime.