The first FIFA World Cup final halftime show was always going to be something different. Madonna? Check. Shakira? Of course. BTS? Why not? But if you thought it was all about just human stars on the guest list, think again.

The organizers have decided to make this a family affair by inviting some of the biggest stars from The Muppets and Sesame Street. It’s not every day you see soccer’s biggest prize sharing the spotlight with a frog, a diva pig and a monster who’d probably eat the match ball if nobody was watching.

The puppets appearing at the 2026 World Cup final halftime show?

The confirmed Muppets characters are:

• Kermit the Frog
• Miss Piggy

Joining them from Sesame Street are:

• Elmo
• Cookie Monster
• Count von Count

FIFA confirmed that characters from both franchises will appear during the historic halftime show, while promotional videos have already featured Kermit, Miss Piggy, Elmo and Cookie Monster alongside Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who curated the event.

For longtime fans, there’s another fun wrinkle. Seeing Muppets and Sesame Street characters performing together isn’t something that happens very often these days because they’re owned by different companies. That unexpected crossover has generated plenty of excitement online, with many fans calling it a childhood reunion they never expected to see.

What will Kermit and the gang actually do in halftime show?

That’s the million-dollar question. Or perhaps the million-cookie question.

FIFA hasn’t revealed exactly how much stage time the puppets will get, only confirming they’ll be part of the halftime celebration supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund alongside the music acts.

Don’t expect Animal to suddenly leap behind the drum kit or Fozzie Bear to interrupt with a string of “Wocka Wocka!” jokes, though fans would probably welcome both. Likewise, Statler and Waldorf haven’t been announced, although you have to admit two grumpy old critics sitting high above the stadium commenting on every misplaced pass would fit soccer perfectly.

A few thing seem certain though.

Kermit will somehow keep his cool. Miss Piggy will almost certainly steal the spotlight. Cookie Monster will continue searching for snacks... until he finds out he can’t afford them, Oh, and Count von Count will have the easiest job of anyone in the stadium:

“One goal... ah ah ah! Two goals... ah ah ah!”

If Spain and Argentina serve up a thriller, he might even get all the way to five.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.