Wed May 28 00:20:00 UTC 2025: **Headline: Neymar Hopes 2026 World Cup Will “Americanize” Football, FIFA Confirms Super Bowl-Style Halftime Show**
**NEW YORK, NY** – The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, is poised to be a game-changer for more than just the sport itself. Brazilian superstar Neymar believes the tournament presents a golden opportunity to incorporate American entertainment traditions into the beautiful game.
Speaking with Disney+, Neymar highlighted the unique entertainment experience offered by American sports, particularly the NBA. He envisions World Cup matches evolving beyond just the 90 minutes of play, suggesting halftime shows, fan engagement activities, and pre-game performances could elevate the overall fan experience.
“You don’t go to a basketball game (NBA) just to watch a basketball game. There’s a show. There’s a break, people come out dancing,” Neymar explained. “They make it worth your while to go. If you take that as a reference, it’s good for Brazil. In soccer, you have a 90-minute game and there’s nothing during halftime… Why not inside the stadium? Do something different?”
Adding fuel to Neymar’s vision, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that the 2026 World Cup final, to be held in New York/New Jersey, will feature a Super Bowl-style halftime show. Coldplay is reportedly assisting in curating a lineup of major artists for the event.
“I can confirm the first ever half-time show at a Fifa World Cup final in New York New Jersey,” Infantino wrote on Instagram. “This will be a historic moment for the Fifa World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world.”
The introduction of a halftime show at the World Cup final marks a significant shift in tradition, and could pave the way for more American-style entertainment elements in future tournaments, including the 2030 World Cup hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. Whether these changes will be welcomed by traditional football fans remains to be seen, but the 2026 World Cup is undoubtedly set to be a groundbreaking event both on and off the pitch.
First Piper 