Madonna, Shakira, and BTS to Headline First World Cup Final Halftime Show
FIFA has announced that global superstars Madonna, Shakira, and K-pop group BTS will headline the first-ever halftime show at the 2026 World Cup final. The event is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, the performance aims to replicate the scale of Super Bowl halftime shows, a format previously trialed at the FIFA Club World Cup. The show will support FIFA’s Global Citizen Education Fund, which seeks to raise $100 million for children's education worldwide. Shakira, who will also perform the tournament's official anthem 'Dai Dai' alongside Burna Boy, pledged to donate all proceeds from the song to the fund. FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the initiative as fitting for the biggest sporting event, with billions expected to watch globally. The 2026 World Cup, featuring 48 teams, will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, kicking off in June with separate opening ceremonies in each host nation. While the entertainment spectacle is highly anticipated, concerns have been raised regarding the potential extension of the standard halftime break.
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