Shakira, Madonna, and BTS to Headline First-Ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show

FIFA has announced that Shakira, Madonna, and BTS will co-headline the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA World Cup final, scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. This marks a significant addition to the tournament, aiming to blend global music and sports cultures.

The halftime show will be curated by Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay, and produced by Global Citizen, an organization known for organizing large-scale musical events to promote social causes. The performance is expected to raise funds for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, dedicated to improving access to quality education and football for children worldwide.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted the significance of this event, stating,

"The FIFA-Global Citizen half-time show will be a world first, a ground-breaking moment where sport, music and culture merge, celebrating football’s unique power to bring us all together."

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams and matches across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament kicks off on June 11, 2026, and concludes with the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium.

Shakira, who previously performed the official World Cup song "Waka Waka" in 2010, is set to release the 2026 tournament's official anthem, "Dai Dai," featuring Afrobeats star Burna Boy. The song is scheduled for release on May 14, 2026.

This initiative reflects FIFA's efforts to enhance the global appeal of the World Cup by integrating high-profile musical performances, similar to those seen in American sports events like the Super Bowl. The halftime show aims to attract a broader audience and create a memorable experience for fans worldwide.