ROME, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in New York will celebrate the values of sports and bring together football, culture and entertainment through a world-class artistic lineup, its creative producer has said.
In an interview with Xinhua, Marco Balich, founder of Italy's Balich Wonder Studio, said he could not disclose details of the ceremony because of confidentiality requirements, but confirmed that its core concept would center on the values embodied by the World Cup.
"Forty-eight teams gather to participate in this fantastic tournament, with only two finalists. We want to celebrate the value of competition, the value of worldwide sport, and the fact that it is being celebrated by the best of the entertainment present in the world," he said, adding that internationally renowned performers would join the show.
Asked how to create a ceremony capable of resonating with billions of viewers from different cultural backgrounds, Balich said his studio always speaks "the language of beauty, values and, above all, emotions."
"We are Italian, so we like to give emotions to people because we are passionate about football and we are passionate about the beauty of entertainment," he said.
Balich noted that the World Cup is more than a football tournament, serving as a platform that connects different cultures and nations.
"You have the responsibility to engage everyone... You want to talk about symbols that unify and bring people together," he said.
The ceremony will also feature the first-ever halftime show in the history of a World Cup final. Balich described it as an experiment inspired by American sports culture.
"Typically, during halftime, people go to the restroom, to the bar, or talk to friends. This time, we'll see if the audience is engaged to stay during halftime. I hope they will enjoy this beautiful performance," he said.
Balich said one of the biggest challenges in preparing the ceremony is protecting the pitch, as the match resumes immediately after the performance. Therefore, the stage design must remain as light as possible, and his team has worked closely with turf specialists to ensure the field remains in optimal condition.
This year, Balich Wonder Studio is also responsible for the ceremonies for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and Paralympics, in addition to the FIFA World Cup events. Balich said the opportunity to produce ceremonies for both the Olympics and World Cup in the same year represents a major achievement for the company.
"For the first time, we managed to create three opening ceremonies in Mexico City, Los Angeles and Toronto, followed by the final in New York. It's a huge challenge, but we are very passionate. We love football and we love entertainment," he said. ■
