UK football fans will have the chance to watch the World Cup 2026 final halftime show on TV as ITV have confirmed their plans to broadcast it.
This summer’s festival of football will conclude with the final at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday 19 July (8pm kick-off UK time).
Reports suggest that FIFA are set to break the laws of the game by extending halftime beyond 15 minutes and up to half an hour to allow space for the mid-match performance.
Coldplay, Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy and Gustavo Dudamel will take to the pitch as part of the Super Bowl-style halftime show, which has been curated by Chris Martin and is in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
It was previously suggested that ITV and BBC – the World Cup’s UK broadcast partners, who will both show the final live – would opt against showing the performance in favour of their usual match analysis.
However, ITV have now confirmed to Radio Times that they will be showing the halftime show in full, alongside analysis of the football from their line-up of pundits.
BBC are expected to confirm their plans in due course.
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The extended halftime is likely to frustrate both fans and players, while the International Football Association Board (IFAB), who set the laws of the game, have previously suggested that a longer break between halves could have a “negative impact on player welfare and safety resulting from a longer period of inactivity”.
Spain became the first team to book their spot in the final after beating France 2-0 in Tuesday’s first semi-final.
They will be joined by either England or Argentina, who face off in Wednesday’s second semi (BBC One, 8pm kick-off UK time).
The World Cup 2026 final will be broadcast live on BBC One, ITV1, BBC iPlayer, and ITVX on Sunday 19 July.
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Authors
Ned is a sports writer at RadioTimes.com. He has covered a host of sports from EFL football, international cricket and golf all the way through to bike polo and triathlon.
