“FIFA are set to investigate the behaviour of Argentina after the final whistle at the World Cup final. Leandro Paredes was shown a red card… Nahuel Molina tried to knockout Rodri… and Argentina coach Roberto Ayala attempted to punch Dani Olmo in the face,“ the BBC reported.

These actions are expected to come under formal FIFA scrutiny in the coming days, as governing officials look to crack down on behavior that damages the sport’s global image. While not directly addressed in the BBC report, head coach Lionel Scaloni voiced his own frustration after the match, arguing that the head referee mishandled the initial yellow card shown to Enzo Fernandez.

As cloud of uncertainty hangs over the program, the squad returned home without Lionel Messi, who was visibly emotional after receiving his silver medal in front of Argentina’s supporters.

Argentina already faced a FIFA investigation during the World Cup

This wouldn’t be the first time Argentina have drawn FIFA’s ire during this tournament. The squad was previously investigated following a post-match celebration involving flags referencing historical territorial disputes with England.

Between these disciplinary probes and persistent chatter surrounding officiating during Argentina’s matches, off-pitch controversy remained a recurring talking point throughout the team’s run.

What’s next for Argentina?

In the wake of their defeat against Spain, Argentina’s immediate future look increasingly uncertain. Scaloni left his post-match press conference in tears when pressed on whether he will remain at the helm.

As focus eventually shifts toward the 2030 World Cup, team management must address an aging core and evaluate who can realistically return for the next cycle. In the short term, Argentina’s focus turn to the 2028 Copa América, set to be hosted in the United States.

Initially, FIFA announced that 2,026 rings will be manufactured, this has already been confirmed. Out of that total, 1,996 rings will be available for fans to purchase anywhere in the world. The medals are another valuable item the champions will receive, but they will not be available to fans.

The rings can be purchased on a website called championsring2026.com, which is officially licensed by FIFA to sell these rings. They are manufactured in Switzerland and feature details from the championship, such as the trophy. Although they do not have the name “Spain” on them, they will feature the crest of the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

How much does a FIFA World Cup champions ring cost for fans?

The price of the ring is $12,000, which is quite a high amount for an official replica. However, for some fans, it will surely be worth it. This sets the price on par with rings from other tournaments, such as the NFL’s Super Bowl, which typically has expensive rings for fans.

These rings hold a value that goes beyond the monetary, as this is the first World Cup where rings are awarded to the winners, in this case, to Spain as tournament champions. Furthermore, for some fans, it could be an investment, since they could potentially sell it for more money in the long run.

If we calculate the total sales for the 1,996 rings, we are talking about $23,952,000. This is a quite significant amount that will serve as an additional revenue stream for FIFA from the tournament, though the Swiss manufacturer will obviously keep a share of the sales.

Will rings be awarded again in the next World Cup?

Yes, it is highly likely that rings will be awarded again, just like other awards such as the Golden Ball, which in 2026 was won by a Spanish player for the first time in history. Additionally, it is likely that other awards will be included if FIFA deems it appropriate for future editions of the tournament.

The beloved fictional coach made a brief but memorable appearance during the first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show, introducing Justin Bieber alongside Coach Beard as part of the star-studded production.

FIFA had already partnered with Sudeikis earlier in the tournament, naming him a World Cup ambassador for the United States’ opening match, making his return for the final a fitting celebration of the tournament’s crossover appeal.

What was Jason Sudeikis’ role during the World Cup Final halftime show?

Jason Sudeikis appeared as Ted Lasso during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final halftime show to introduce Justin Bieber’s performance alongside Brendan Hunt, who reprised his role as Coach Beard.

The surprise cameo brought the fictional soccer coach from Apple TV+’s hit series onto the biggest stage in soccer, with Sudeikis delivering the introduction while staying in character as the optimistic American manager.

Their segment served as a bridge between the sporting world and pop culture, using the popularity of Ted Lasso to connect with both longtime soccer fans and viewers who discovered the sport through the series.

His participation was also a continuation of his involvement with the 2026 World Cup. FIFA announced the actor and comedian as a World Cup ambassador, with him taking part in the United States’ opening-match celebrations in Los Angeles.

How is Ted Lasso connected to soccer and FIFA?

Ted Lasso became connected to soccer because the series introduced millions of viewers to the sport through the story of an American soccer coach who moves to England to manage AFC Richmond, a fictional Premier League club.

The show used soccer as the foundation for its themes of leadership, teamwork and cultural exchange, helping make the sport more familiar to many American audiences. The series, starring Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso, premiered in 2020.

Its portrayal of English soccer culture, locker-room dynamics and the passion surrounding the game helped turn fictional AFC Richmond into one of the most recognizable clubs outside the real soccer world.

The connection became especially relevant during the 2026 World Cup, hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada. With the tournament aiming to expand soccer’s presence in North America, Ted Lasso represented a cultural link.

For FIFA, including the iconic actor and the Ted Lasso character in World Cup events was a way to recognize how soccer has moved beyond stadiums and into movies, television and mainstream American culture.

The first-ever halftime show at a World Cup final brought together global music stars and quickly became one of the biggest talking points of the event, generating reactions from fans across the world.

After the performance ended, social media became an extension of the stadium, with supporters turning memorable moments, celebrity appearances and unexpected highlights from the show into viral memes.

Funniest memes and reactions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final halftime show

Known for reinventing herself while staying true to the songs that defined pop music, the Queen of Pop has built a catalog filled with stadium anthems and unforgettable live performances. That’s why everyone wants to know the setlist.

Her appearance at the World Cup Final marked her return to the halftime stage more than a decade after headlining the NFL’s Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show. The show blended music and philanthropy in an 11-minute spectacle.

Which Madonna classic was included in the halftime show?

Madonna performed “Music”, the title track from her 2000 studio album that became one of her biggest hits of the early 21st century. The song’s electronic-pop sound highlighted the range of her catalog.

The pop icon used the historic stage to revisit one of the tracks that defined her four-decade career, bringing one of her most recognizable anthems to FIFA’s first-ever World Cup Final halftime performance.

After headlining the Super Bowl halftime show in 2012, the World Cup Final became another landmark event in her live performance history, placing her song in front of one of the largest audiences in sports and entertainment.

For the first time ever, the World Cup will be hosted across three continents and involve six different countries, marking a historic celebration of the tournament’s 100th anniversary.

After FIFA introduced a three-country hosting model in 2026 with the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the governing body has gone one step further by creating the most geographically diverse World Cup ever.

Where will the 2030 World Cup be played?

The majority of the tournament will be hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. These three countries will stage nearly all of the World Cup matches, including the knockout rounds, with Spain expected to host the largest share of games.

One of the biggest questions that remains unanswered is the location of the World Cup final. The leading candidates are Madrid, Barcelona, and Casablanca, although FIFA has not yet confirmed the host stadium for the championship match.

Why are Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay hosting matches in 2030 World Cup?

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the FIFA World Cup, special opening matches will also be held in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Each of those countries will host one match, honoring South America’s role in soccer history.

Uruguay staged the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930, while Argentina was the losing finalist in that first tournament. Paraguay also joins the centenary celebrations as one of South America’s traditional soccer nations. Following those opening fixtures, the participating teams will travel to Europe or Africa to continue the remainder of the tournament.

A World Cup unlike any before

The 2030 edition will become the first World Cup ever played across Europe, Africa, and South America. The format represents another major evolution in FIFA’s approach to hosting the competition and guarantees that the tournament’s centenary will be celebrated on an unprecedented global scale.

With six host nations, three continents, and multiple iconic stadiums expected to take center stage, the 2030 FIFA World Cup promises to be one of the most ambitious editions in football history.

That legacy continues in 2026, as the British group takes part in the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final halftime show, a landmark production curated by frontman Chris Martin alongside Global Citizen.

While the band is best known for its record-breaking tours and chart-topping albums, its connection to major sporting events stretches back more than a decade. They have delivered headline performances before millions of viewers.

When was Coldplay’s first performance at a major sporting event?

Coldplay’s first performance at a major sporting event came at the Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show. The British band headlined the NFL’s biggest annual event, becoming the first British group to lead a halftime show since The Who in 2010.

The performance featured many of the band’s biggest hits, including Viva La Vida, Paradise, Adventure of a Lifetime, Clocks and Fix You. They were joined by Beyonce and Bruno Mars, who reprised their own hits before all three artists closed the show together with Up&Up.

How many sporting events has Coldplay performed at?

Coldplay has officially performed at two major global sporting events. The band’s first appearance came at Super Bowl 50 in 2016, followed by its participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final halftime show, the first halftime performance ever staged during a World Cup final.

Although they have performed concerts at numerous stadiums that host sporting events, only these two appearances were official performances tied directly to globally recognized sports championships.

The two performances also reflect the band’s growing influence beyond music. At the Super Bowl, they headlined the NFL‘s signature entertainment event. At the 2026 World Cup Final, Chris Martin helped design the creative vision of a show.

Which was Coldplay’s biggest sports performance by audience?

Coldplay’s biggest confirmed sports performance by audience was the Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show in 2016. The band’s performance alongside Beyonce and Bruno Mars drew 115.5 million viewers in the United States.

It was one of the most-watched halftime shows in Super Bowl history and the largest verified television audience of their career at a sporting event. The show took place on February 7, 2016 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

According to the NFL and Nielsen, the halftime show averaged 115.5 million U.S. viewers, surpassing the game’s average audience. That remains the benchmark for a confirmed Coldplay sports performance.

Curated by Chris Martin, the production brings together an unprecedented lineup led by Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and BTS, with additional appearances from Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus and Coldplay.

From career-defining anthems to World Cup-themed performances, every moment of the show has drawn intense attention as millions tune in from around the world to witness FIFA’s first-ever halftime spectacle.

Full setlist for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final halftime show

The inaugural FIFA World Cup Final halftime show featured a fast-paced, 11-minute production with performances from some of the biggest names in music. The show blended pop, Latin music, Afrobeats, K-pop and orchestral elements.

The complete setlist included:

• Music by Madonna
• Seven Nation Army by The Muppets ft Gustavo Dudamel
• Dynamite by BTS
• EVERYTHING HALLELUJAH by Justin Bieber
• Dai Dai (Official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup) by Shakira and Burna Boy
• We Believe in Love by Coldplay and PS22 Chorus

The performance was designed as a continuous medley rather than a series of full-length songs, allowing each artist to take the spotlight before some artists joined together for the closing number.

The performance brought together soccer and music on the biggest stage of the tournament, with millions of viewers around the world following the global celebration. The show featured some of the biggest names in music.

The Queen of Pop, Justin Bieber, Shakira and BTS were just some of the icons who performed during the final, delivering one of the most anticipated shows by FIFA and fans, as it was the first of its kind in the event’s history.

Who opened the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final halftime show?

The first song performed during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final halftime show was “Music” by Madonna, opening FIFA’s first-ever halftime spectacle at the tournament’s biggest match.

The pop icon began the historic performance with one of her most recognizable global hits, setting the tone for an 11-minute show that brought together soccer and music on the world stage.

The opening number carried additional significance because the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final halftime show marked the first time FIFA introduced a halftime performance during the tournament’s championship match.

Madonna was joined by several other international stars during the historic show, including Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS, along with additional performers such as Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay.

As part of the historic halftime show directed by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, FIFA blended sport and live entertainment on an unprecedented scale, creating an experience that extended well beyond the action on the pitch.

One of the most talked-about details inside New York New Jersey Stadium came from the stands, where thousands of fans discovered a special keepsake waiting at their seats…

What souvenir did fans receive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final?

Fans attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final received an exclusive Coldplay souvenir: a purple flag featuring the band’s signature heart logo and a personal thank-you note signed by Chris Martin.

The gift was handed out before kickoff to commemorate the first-ever FIFA World Cup halftime show, giving spectators a keepsake from one of the tournament’s most historic entertainment moments.

The souvenir consisted of a small purple flag displaying Coldplay’s iconic heart symbol, along with a printed message from Chris Martin thanking fans for being “a vital part” of the inaugural FIFA World Cup Final halftime show.

Rather than distributing standard promotional merchandise, FIFA and Coldplay chose a souvenir directly tied to the halftime production. The flag also became part of the stadium atmosphere, as many supporters waved it before kickoff.

After images of the flag spread across social media, many fans described it as a memorable reminder of the day soccer introduced its first Super Bowl-style halftime show, led creatively by Chris Martin and Global Citizen.

While FIFA confirmed the Hollywood actor’s participation, his exact on-stage role was presented as a “special appearance” rather than a traditional musical performance, as he was responsible for a unique moment during the ceremony.

His appearance added another layer of global entertainment to a closing ceremony that featured performances from Robbie Williams, Swae Lee, IShowSpeed and Post Malone before the final match.

What did Tom Cruise do during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final closing ceremony?

Tom Cruise was in charge of delivering a message of unity before the start of the Argentina vs. Spain match, just after Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini and Nicole Scherzinger performed FIFA’s official anthem, “Desire”.

The actor took the microphone for a few minutes in a calm and unusual way for his style. He addressed all the fans in attendance and those watching the final around the world, delivering a message of peace and encouragement.