Already the most watched sporting event in the world, the World Cup final is about to get even bigger with FIFA’s recent announcement of a “Super Bowl-style” halftime show. We still have several months to go, but there’s already been a ton of speculation on which performer will get to showcase their talents on this global stage.
Lucky for you, Bodog has betting markets on everything sports and entertainment—including odds on who will perform the halftime show at the 2026 World Cup final. It’s the perfect way to blend sports and entertainment betting, giving you even more ways to cash in on this year’s World Cup.
The 2026 World Cup: When & Where
The 2026 World Cup is, without question, the world’s biggest sporting event. Taking place across Canada, Mexico and the United States, soccer fans are coming from all over the globe to witness this year’s competition.
Expanding from the standard 32-team format, the 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams—making it the largest World Cup in history. The group stage opens on June 11, before advancing to the knockout stage on June 28. It all leads up to the World Cup final, set to take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, home of the NFL’s New York Jets and New York Giants.
We still don’t know who will be headlining the World Cup final halftime show, but you can be sure it will be a major spectacle featuring large-scale production with no expense spared. With billions of people expected to tune in from around the world, it has the potential to be the most watched halftime performance in history.
Who’s in the Running?
As an international event, the list of potential performers for the halftime show is endless. There are plenty of A-list stars who would love the opportunity to get on the stage with the eyes of the world watching, but only one will be chosen to headline this highly-anticipated event.
Betting on which recording artist gets the nod allows you to use your pop culture knowledge to your advantage, and hopefully profit from the eventual announcement. Here are the currents odds for this unique World Cup entertainment betting market.
| Who will play at halftime of the 2026 World Cup final? | ||
| Ed Sheeran +600 | Coldplay +1000 | Elton John +1000 |
| U2 +1000 | Andrea Bocelli +1200 | Katy Perry +1200 |
| Lady Gaga +1200 | Oasis +1200 | Taylor Swift +1200 |
| Beyoncé +1600 | Dua Lipa +1600 | J. Lo +1600 |
| The Rolling Stones +1600 | Bruce Springsteen +2000 | Paul McCartney +2000 |
| Rihanna +2000 | Ariana Grande +2500 | Billie Eilish +2500 |
| Bruno Mars +2500 | Drake +2500 | Eminem +2500 |
| Justin Bieber +2500 | Madonna +2500 | The Weeknd +2500 |
What to Consider?
Choosing a headliner for the halftime show at the 2026 World Cup final is no easy task. It may seem simple from a fan’s perspective, but FIFA has a number of different factors to consider when picking a performer.
If you’re betting on which chart-topping artist ends up taking the stage this summer, understanding these considerations gives you a much better chance of making an accurate prediction. With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at some of the deciding factors when it comes to choosing a performer for the 2026 World Cup halftime show.
- Global Appeal
The World Cup is an international event with an audience that spans every continent, so selecting a recording artist with global appeal is a prerequisite for headlining this halftime show.
- Recent Hits
A singer or band may have global appeal, but they won’t generate much excitement if they haven’t had any recent hits. Performers with hit songs from the past few years have a major advantage.
- Large Catalogue
In addition to having some recent hits, they’ll also need a large collection of songs that the fans will know. Halftime shows usually jump from track to track quickly, so a vast catalogue is necessary to keep the momentum going.
- Creative Direction
The event is being produced by Global Citizen, and Coldplay’s Chris Martin will support the production. Global Citizen has produced large-scale halftime shows in the past, so researching their creative direction may provide some valuable insight.
- Production Experience
Considering the massive scale of this halftime show, FIFA will want someone with experience putting on such huge productions. Artists who have already delivered successful Super Bowl performances could have a leg up on the competition.
- Cross-Generational Recognition
With billions of people tuning in, it’s important the headliner can engage with an audience of all ages. Choose someone too young or too old, and you risk alienating an entire generation of viewers.
- Scheduling Availability
The performer selected must be available for the World Cup final on July 19, but also for the week leading up to the match in order to prepare. That could immediately rule out recording artists who are on tour or tied up with other commitments.
Key Takeaways for Bettors
As the marquee sporting event of 2026, it’s never too early to lock in a wager on the World Cup. With so many talented performers to choose from, you can expect an incredible halftime show no matter who they select to go up on stage.
Now’s the perfect time to do some research, using the key factors covered in this preview to narrow down the most likely headliners. Because when it comes to the World Cup, even the halftime show comes with major betting excitement.