Will Drake Headline the Super Bowl 2026 Halftime Show After Kendrick Lamar’s Dominant Set?

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Following Kendrick Lamar’s commanding performance at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show in 2025, fans and industry insiders alike have turned their attention to another rap titan: Drake. Could the Canadian superstar be next in line for one of the world’s biggest stages?

Despite growing speculation, the Canadian rapper is not confirmed to headline the Super Bowl 2026 halftime show. According to a report by XXL, the rapper has previously declined several invitations to perform at the big game, including offers for the 2020 and 2021 editions. His track record suggests he’s hesitant to take on the NFL’s high-stakes spotlight.

That hasn’t stopped fans from hoping — especially in the wake of Lamar’s bold set, which included pointed lyrical jabs in their ongoing feud. Lamar’s performance was widely praised for both its artistry and unapologetic commentary, and many see a potential Drake show as the perfect counterpoint in their now-legendary rivalry.

Another Global Stage?

While the NFL may still be courting Drake for Super Bowl 2026, he could be eyeing an entirely different international stage.

In a surprising twist, FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently floated the idea of Drake performing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, which will also be held at MetLife Stadium — the same venue as Super Bowl 2026. In an interview with TalkSport, Infantino said, “We have to create a bit of rivalry,” hinting at the potential for a global cultural moment that echoes the spectacle of the Super Bowl halftime show.

The proposed FIFA halftime performance would mark a first for the tournament, giving Drake a chance to headline the debut edition of what could become an iconic tradition.

The Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s Feud

The beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has evolved into one of the most intense and personal rivalries in hip-hop history. While their relationship began with collaborations in the early 2010s, tensions simmered over the years, culminating in a series of explosive diss tracks in 2024.

The conflict reignited in March 2024 when Lamar delivered a pointed verse on «Like That,» dismissing the notion of a «Big Three» in rap and asserting his dominance over peers like Drake and J. Cole. This provocation led to a rapid exchange of diss tracks between the two artists.

Kendrick released «Euphoria,» «6:16 in LA,» «Meet the Grahams,» and the chart-topping «Not Like Us,» which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the longest-charting rap song in history . Drake responded with tracks like «Family Matters» and «The Heart Part 6,» the latter of which received widespread criticism and was eventually removed from his social media.

The feud extended beyond music, with Drake filing a lawsuit against Universal Music Group over the release of «Not Like Us,» alleging defamation and incitement of violence. Kendrick’s diss tracks not only dominated the charts but also earned him multiple Grammy Awards, including Song and Record of the Year.

The Verdict: Nothing’s Official — Yet

As it stands, Drake has not confirmed any participation in either the Super Bowl 2026 or the FIFA World Cup final. However, with both events taking place at the same venue in New Jersey and within months of each other, speculation is unlikely to die down anytime soon.

Whether he chooses the Super Bowl, the World Cup, or continues to pass on both, one thing is clear: the world is watching, and waiting.