2026 World Cup Final Pairs Messi’s Potential Farewell with History-Making Halftime Spectacle
Argentina and Spain will contest the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, an occasion that may mark Lionel Messi's final appearance in international football. Sports merchandise company Fanatics has capitalised on the moment with its "We're Still Wearing It" campaign, which centres on Messi's iconic number 10 jersey and emphasises the cultural weight of what could be his last match for Argentina.
The championship match will also pioneer FIFA's first Super Bowl-style halftime show, assembled by Coldplay's Chris Martin with an roster of global performers including Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and BTS. The entertainment lineup expands to feature Coldplay, Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS 22 Chorus, signalling a dramatic shift toward major-scale entertainment production at the World Cup final.
- Argentina faces Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, potentially Lionel Messi's last international appearance
- Fanatics' "We're Still Wearing It" campaign celebrates Messi's number 10 jersey and the match's historical significance
- FIFA debuts its first Super Bowl-style halftime show, featuring Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, BTS, and Coldplay, curated by Chris Martin
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Argentina and Spain meet in the 2026 World Cup final, a match given extra weight by the possibility that it could be Lionel Messi's last game for Argentina at international level. Messi has long been considered one of football's greatest players, and Argentina's fans and sponsors are treating this final as a potential farewell, with merchandising firm Fanatics running a campaign built around his famous number 10 shirt.
Separately, FIFA is introducing a new element to the final: a large-scale halftime show, styled on the American Super Bowl format, which has never featured at a World Cup before. It is being put together by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and involves a wide mix of performers, including Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, BTS, Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and a children's choir called the PS 22 Chorus.
Together, these two threads mean the final carries significance beyond the result itself, combining a possible landmark moment in one player's career with a shift in how FIFA presents the tournament's biggest match to a global audience.
Coverage
- The Hollywood Reporter — Fanatics Debuts “We’re Still Wearing It” Campaign Honoring Lionel Messi Ahead of World Cup Final
- Variety — How to Watch the World Cup Final Halftime Show Live Online
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