March 6 – In a Super Bowl-style collaboration, Coldplay vocalist Chris Martin is working with FIFA to curate a half–time spectacular at the World Cup final next year.
The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey — to be known as New York New Jersey Stadium for the World Cup — will host the final on July 19.
FIFA is staging what its president, Gianni Infantino, called a “takeover” of Times Square for the final weekend of the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
“I can confirm the first ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final in New York New Jersey, in association with (advocacy organization) Global Citizen. This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world,” Infantino posted on Instagram after attending a FIFA conference in Dallas.
He didn’t clarify whether Coldplay, one of the world’s most popular rock bands, would actually perform, but said Martin and Coldplay manager Phil Harvey would be involved in booking other artists.
Martin and Harvey will be “working with [FIFA] to finalise the list of artists who will perform”, Infantino added.
Coldplay have previously played at major sporting events, including the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony and before the 2011 Champions League final at Wembley.
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