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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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Ludacris performs onstage at Shaq’s Fun House held at Mardi Gras World on February 7, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Christopher Polk/Variety

Ludacris performs onstage at Shaq’s Fun House held at Mardi Gras World on February 7, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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Ludacris Exits Rock the Country Lineup Following Fan Backlash

The rapper was originally announced as part of the lineup earlier this month.

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On Friday (Jan. 16), Rolling Stone reported that the Grammy-winning rapper’s name had been removed from the lineup announcement poster. According to the magazine, the “My Chick Bad” MC “wasn’t supposed to be on” the lineup in the first place. Representatives for the traveling festival confirmed the news, directing Billboard to Ludacris’ team “for any additional comments.”

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