Liam Duckstein
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be the most musically ambitious tournament in history. For the first time ever, the final will feature a Super Bowl-style halftime show. Add to that a star-studded draw ceremony in Washington D.C. and a landmark opening ceremony at one of football’s most iconic stadiums, and the entertainment programme alone makes this World Cup unlike any before it.
There are three key musical moments fans need to know about: the official draw ceremony in December 2025, the opening ceremony on June 11, and the World Cup final halftime show on July 19.
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Event 1: The FIFA World Cup Draw Ceremony
December 5, 2025 — John F. Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.
The draw ceremony was the first major musical showcase of the 2026 tournament, held at the prestigious JFK Center for the Performing Arts. Co-hosted by Heidi Klum, Kevin Hart, and Danny Ramirez, it delivered a varied lineup of global acts and unveiled the official tournament anthem.
Confirmed Performers
Robbie Williams was the headline act, performing in his role as FIFA’s official Music Ambassador — a newly created position. Williams wrote the official FIFA anthem “Desire” alongside long-time collaborators Karl Brazil and Owen Parker. The track is set to be played before every FIFA tournament match as teams walk onto the pitch, making it the first anthem ever used this way across all FIFA competitions.
Nicole Scherzinger, former Pussycat Dolls lead and Tony Award winner, joined Williams to co-perform “Desire” live for the first time. The pairing proved divisive, with many fans on social media criticising the song and questioning the combination of artists.
Lauryn Hill performed her classic “Doo Wop (That Thing)” with her full band. In a surprise moment, her sons Zion David Marley and YG joined her on stage.
Andrea Bocelli, the legendary Italian tenor, brought classical gravitas to the ceremony — echoing his memorable appearance at Leicester City’s Premier League title celebrations in 2016.
Village People closed the night with their iconic 1978 hit “Y.M.C.A.,” bringing the entire JFK Center crowd to its feet.
About the Official Anthem
“Desire” was originally debuted ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup in June 2025, before being unveiled to the wider public at the December draw. FIFA President Gianni Infantino described it as “fantastic, incredible, emotional and brilliant.” Fan reception, however, was considerably cooler — with many arguing it lacks the anthemic quality of past World Cup songs like Shakira’s “Waka Waka” or Ricky Martin’s “La Copa de la Vida.”
Event 2: The Opening Ceremony
June 11, 2026 — Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
The opening ceremony takes place at Estadio Azteca, which becomes the first stadium in history to host three separate World Cup opening matches, having previously done so in 1970 and 1986. Following a major renovation, the venue now holds 87,500 fans and sits at 7,200 feet above sea level.
The opening match is Mexico vs South Africa, and the ceremony is expected to begin around 6:00–7:00 PM local time, roughly 30 to 45 minutes before kickoff.
What Has Been Confirmed
As of April 2026, FIFA has not officially announced the full performer lineup for the opening ceremony. What is known:
- Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger are widely expected to perform “Desire,” given it is the official tournament anthem
- Mexico City has its own exclusive FIFA World Cup 26 theme remix, produced by the Mexican Institute of Sound
- The ceremony will celebrate the culture of all three host nations — the United States, Canada, and Mexico — with Mexican identity taking centre stage given the location
What to Expect
Based on the tri-nation hosting structure and the precedent set by past tournaments, expect a headline-heavy lineup. Previous opening ceremonies have featured Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull (Brazil 2014), and BTS and Nicki Minaj (Qatar 2022). The 2026 edition is likely to follow suit with major Latin, American, and Canadian acts.
Event 3: The World Cup Final Halftime Show
July 19, 2026 — MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
This is the most historically significant entertainment announcement in World Cup history. For the first time in 97 years of the competition, the final will feature a live halftime show during the match itself — a direct nod to the Super Bowl format that has proven so popular in American sports culture.
Key Details
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed the halftime show in March 2025, calling it “a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world”
- Coldplay’s Chris Martin and the band’s manager Phil Harvey are producing the show, though Coldplay themselves will not perform
- Global Citizen is the official production partner, working under a multi-year partnership with FIFA
- The show is linked to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to improve access to quality education for children worldwide
- Specific performers have not yet been announced
A Preview: The Club World Cup Halftime Show
The FIFA Club World Cup final in July 2025 served as a direct dress rehearsal for this format. Held at the same venue — MetLife Stadium — and produced by the same team, it featured J Balvin, Doja Cat, Tems, and Emmanuel Kelly. All three headline artists have existing relationships with Global Citizen events, making them credible candidates to appear at the World Cup final as well.
Full Performer Summary Table
| Event | Date | Venue | Confirmed Performers | Status |
| Draw Ceremony | Dec 5, 2025 | JFK Center, Washington D.C. | Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, Lauryn Hill, Andrea Bocelli, Village People | Confirmed |
| Opening Ceremony | Jun 11, 2026 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City | Robbie Williams & Nicole Scherzinger (expected) | TBC |
| Final Halftime Show | Jul 19, 2026 | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey | Produced by Chris Martin & Global Citizen | TBC |
Tips.gg Verdict
The 2026 World Cup is raising the entertainment stakes at every stage. The draw ceremony set the tone with a mixed but headline-grabbing musical moment. The opening ceremony at Azteca promises to be a landmark celebration of Latin culture at full stadium scale. And the final halftime show — a genuine first in World Cup history — has the production infrastructure of a Super Bowl performance behind it.
The biggest announcements are still to come. Keep an eye on FIFA’s official channels and Global Citizen for performer reveals as June approaches.