In a historic move, FIFA has announced that global icons Madonna, Shakira and BTS will co-headline the first-ever halftime show during a World Cup final. The performance will take place on July 19 at the New York New Jersey (MetLife) Stadium.
The "Super Bowl-style" show is curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and produced by Global Citizen. Beyond the spectacle, the event aims to raise $100 million for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which supports quality education and football access for children worldwide.
The lineup brings together three of the biggest acts in music history: Shakira: No stranger to the pitch, the Colombian star will perform the official tournament song, "Dai Dai" (meaning "Let’s Go"), featuring Nigerian artist Burna Boy.
Madonna: The "Queen of Pop" is set to perform just weeks after the release of her 15th studio album Confessions II.
BTS: The K-pop legends are using this global stage to mark their major return following a three-year hiatus for mandatory military service.
While pre-match performances are common, this is the first time the World Cup final will feature an entertainment break during the match interval.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the move as a "historic moment befitting the biggest sporting event in the world." However, the decision has sparked discussions regarding the length of the halftime break. While official rules usually limit the interval to 15 minutes, reports suggest the show will last approximately 11 minutes, potentially stretching the total break time to accommodate the stage setup.
The 2026 World Cup, the largest ever with 48 teams begins on June 11, with matches hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. On the final weekend, FIFA also plans to "take over" New York’s Times Square to celebrate the conclusion of the tournament.
