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Rb Hip Hop

Here’s Why FIFA President Thinks Drake Performing at 2026 World Cup Is a ‘Good Idea’

Gianni Infantino even commented on Drizzy's feud with Kendrick Lamar.

Drake performs at History on November 7, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario.

Drake performs at History on November 7, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario.

Robert Okine/Getty Images

Drake, a Toronto native, represented for Canada when the 2026 World Cup host cities were announced last year, and he could be making an appearance at the 2026 games as a performer.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino pulled up to FOX 5’s Good Day New York on Thursday (March 6), and co-host Rosanna Scotto pressed Infantino about the possibility of Drake performing at the World Cup next year.


“I have a great idea for you for the halftime — Drake,” she said. “Because you were at the Super Bowl — Kendrick Lamar dissed him at the Super Bowl.”

“So we can create a bit of a rivalry,” Infantino quipped about Drake’s feud with Lamar. “That’s a good idea. Actually, Drake was with us when we announced the host cities. I should have his number saved somewhere.”

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Infantino called the World Cup halftime show — which is produced by Coldplay’s Chris Martin — the “best halftime show ever.”

“We’re thinking big,” he told FOX 5. “We’ll have 2 billion viewers from every corner of the world. It’s like 20 times the Super Bowl. So, we are very excited about that. You have to watch it – that’s the surprise. … It will be global, different languages, different countries.”

Toronto will be playing host to the first tournament game of the World Cup on June 12, 2026. Vancouver, B.C, will also host a match north of the border.

“Canada as a whole, we have an incredible melting pot. But in Toronto, there are just so many different cultural experiences,” Drake told Infantino in February 2024. “So when the world comes, it’s going to be beautiful.”

Eleven U.S. cities will also host, including Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Boston, Dallas, San Francisco (Bay Area) and the greater New York City area.

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Watch FOX 5’s full interview with FIFA’s Gianni Infantino below.

This article first appeared on Billboard U.S.

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Jennifer Brown, CEO of SOCAN (left) and ​Tobias Holzmüller, CEO of GEMA
Courtesy Photo

Jennifer Brown, CEO of SOCAN (left) and Tobias Holzmüller, CEO of GEMA

Touring

SOCAN Joins GEMA's Live Music Royalty Network, One Arena

The Canadian music rights company is the first organization outside of Europe to join the network, whose goal is to provide more transparency regarding live music royalties.

SOCAN has joined GEMA's live royalty network, One Arena.

The Canadian music rights society has become the first non-European rights collection company to join the initiative, which is meant to provide transparency surrounding live music and concert royalties. One Arena's mission is to track concerts worldwide and provide information about licensing and royalty payments, giving a clearer picture of how performance royalties are calculated and distributed to musicians.

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