As May nears its end, the upcoming start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is generating tremendous excitement. Many of the tournament’s 48 participating teams are still finalizing their rosters ahead of the June 1 deadline. FIFA Fan Festivals throughout host cities are priming their venues for weeks of heavy foot traffic, and World Cup host stadiums are making finishing touches before crowds come rushing in. But in the third week of May, the biggest pre-tournament news is FIFA’s last-minute rule adjustments and major half-time show announcement.

Madonna, Shakira, and BTS Will Co-Headline a Historic Half-Time Show

Breaking decades of tradition, FIFA announced its very first NFL-style half-time show. Historically, the tournament’s players were given just 15 minutes to rest and make tactical adjustments. All of the World Cup Final’s large-scale musical performances were made during its opening ceremonies. But with the final taking place at an NFL stadium, an NFL-style half-time show makes sense.

Fusing Entertainment and Humanitarianism

In addition to driving ticket prices, increasing viewership, and giving fans one more thing to cheer, the half-time show at the 2026 World Cup Final will support an important humanitarian effort. The show will benefit the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. Funds will be granted to grassroots programs across 200 countries and used in part for the FIFA Football for Schools program. Madonna, Shakira, and BTS will perform for free.

What to Expect

FIFA’s May 14 confirmation of its half-time show will have a noticeable impact on the final’s remaining ticket prices. Headliners like BTS are bound to attract music-lovers who aren’t necessarily football fans. With FIFA’s dynamic ticket pricing, increased interest in the World Cup Final could more than double the match’s already astronomical cost. On May 7, FIFA tripled the price of its “best available” World Cup Final ticket to $33,000. This move may have been in anticipation of its forthcoming half-time announcement.

The half-time show will take place on July 19 at the New York/New Jersey MetLife Stadium. The performance is being curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, and it’s produced by Global Citizen in partnership with Done + Dusted and Live Nation.

FIFA’s Pre-Tournament Rule Changes

In late April and again in early May, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and FIFA announced several pre-tournament rule changes. All of these rule changes will apply to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Together, they aim to improve match tempo, discipline, and decision-making.

The Mouth-Covering Rule

At the referee’s discretion, any player covering their mouth with their jersey or hands during an on-pitch dispute with their opponent can be immediately sent off. This rule is designed to decrease on-field bigotry and hold players accountable for their words.

The Walk-Off Rule

According to the new walk-off rule, any player who leaves the pitch in response to a referee’s decision will earn an immediate red card. These immediate dismissals will discourage coaches and team officials from encouraging players to walk off in protest. Collective actions that force match abandonment will result in technical forfeits.

Substituted Players Leaving the Pitch

Substituted players must leave the pitch within 10 seconds of the substitute card being raised. If they do not, the incoming player must wait on the sideline for one minute, leaving their team temporarily short.

5-Second Restarts

When taking goal kicks and throw-ins, teams now have just a five-second countdown. Taking longer than five seconds will result in loss of possession.

On-Field Medical Treatment

To prevent players from wasting time by faking injuries, players who require on-the-pitch medical attention must step off the field and wait for a full minute before returning to the game. They must remain on the touchline while waiting.

Approaching Referees

As of 2026, only team captains in FIFA matches can approach referees. Any other players who approach or crowd referees can receive instant yellow cards.

Yellow Card Amnesty

To adjust for the expanded, 48-team tournament, FIFA has introduced yellow card amnesty. Single yellow cards are now wiped clean at the end of group-stage games and again following the tournament’s quarterfinals.

Walk-Off and Mouth-Covering Rule Causes UEFA to Distance Itself

While these rules apply to all games played in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, they haven’t been implemented globally. The UEFA has opted against adopting the walk-off rule and the mouth-covering rule for its tournaments.

This comes despite UEFA’s disciplinary actions against Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni being a major inspiration for the mouth covering rule. Prestianni is facing a six-game suspension for making racial slurs against Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior that will see him miss Argentina’s first two matches in the 2026 World Cup.

Two Important Rule Changes for FIFA Stadiums

FIFA has long had a lengthy list of prohibited items for all host stadiums. From firecrackers to laser pointers, there’s a lot that you can’t bring into a FIFA game. But in 2026, FIFA is tightening its restrictions with updates to its Stadium Code of Conduct and via ongoing announcements.

Clear Plastic Bags Only

The biggest restriction that fans will face applies to the types of bags they can carry into stadiums. All bags must be clear, made of plastic, PVC, or vinyl, and of a certain size. The maximum size for approved bags is 12 inches x 6 inches x 12 inches. Those who don’t adhere to FIFA’s strict bag policy will have to return their items to their vehicles, toss them, or miss their events.

Iranian Flags

In a move that mirrors its decisions for past tournaments, FIFA is planning to again ban the display of pre-revolution Iranian flags in host stadiums. This ban will include all clothing and other merchandise that display the pre-revolution flag. This same ruling was made for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.