The Big Lead

The 2026 World Cup final could look very similar to the Super Bowl

Could we see Bad Bunny or even Taylor Swift perform at MetLife Stadium?

By Matt Reed

July 11, 2010; Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA; Recording artist Shakira performs during the final match in the 2010 World Cup between Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Valeria Witters/Witters Sport via Imagn Images
July 11, 2010; Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA; Recording artist Shakira performs during the final match in the 2010 World Cup between Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Valeria Witters/Witters Sport via Imagn Images / Witters Sport-Imagn Images
facebooktwitter

The FIFA World Cup somehow continues to become a larger spectacle with each passing tournament, and president Gianni Infantino has even bigger plans for the next edition of the competition when it arrives in North America next summer.

RELATED: IFAB will finally penalize goalkeepers for time wasting

The World Cup will have halftime entertainment, similar to that of what the Super Bowl has included, and now it's gotten the attention of a wider audience that's begun speculating who would perform in front of the world's largest sporting event.

The obvious question becomes; who could we see performing at halftime? Especially considering the magnitude of the event and the fact that the World Cup is a global phenomenon, it would have to be a musician or group that transcends just an American audience.

That could mean global superstars like Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Drake or even Post Malone could take the stage at MetLife Stadium. However, it's highly unlikely any musical act will be confirmed for some time as FIFA continues to build the anticipation for the tournament.

Now, this wouldn't be completely unprecedented for soccer to make a move like this, especially after some of the more recent global tournaments have gone down similar routes.

Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi holds up the World Cup trophy as he and his teammates celebrate the title
Dec 18, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi (19) holds up the World Cup trophy as he and his teammates celebrate after winning the 2022 World Cup final against France at Lusail Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-Imagn Images / Yukihito Taguchi-Imagn Images

Ahead of the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa, renowned artist Shakira performed his iconic hit 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)' before Spain topped the Netherlands in one of the most memorable title matches in the history of the competiton.

Meanwhile, the UEFA Champions League has even dabbled in a similar practice with American DJ Marshmello performing before the 2021 final where Chelsea defeated Manchester City.

MORE TOP STORIES from The Big Lead
NFL: Best landing spots for Davante Adams
NFL: Post-Combine Consensus Mock Draft 
NBA: What are the Hornets even doing?
SPORTS MEDIA:ESPN announces last date for ‘Around the Horn’

Home/Soccer