Billboard.com
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is set to make entertainment history with its first-ever halftime show, and the inaugural lineup will feature global superstars Madonna, Shakira and BTS.
The performance is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium during the championship match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to reports, the halftime production will run approximately 11 minutes, marking the first time FIFA has incorporated a Super Bowl-style musical performance into the tournament’s final.
The announcement was unveiled through a promotional video featuring Chris Martin of Coldplay alongside characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets.
Shakira’s involvement had been heavily anticipated after the singer was selected to perform “Dai Dai,” the official song of the 2026 World Cup, alongside Burna Boy. The track follows her previous FIFA anthem, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” which became intertwined with the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Her upcoming world tour schedule also conveniently surrounds the final match date with performances planned in the New York and New Jersey area.
Meanwhile, Madonna is entering a new era of her career with the upcoming release of “Confessions II,” the sequel to her 2005 album “Confessions on a Dance Floor.” Recent singles, including collaborations with Sabrina Carpenter and Peggy Gou, have fueled anticipation surrounding the project ahead of its July release.
BTS will also arrive at the World Cup amid a highly successful comeback year. The group reunited earlier in 2026 following the completion of members’ military service obligations and quickly returned to the top of the charts with their album “ARIRANG”. Their accompanying world tour has already become one of the year’s largest global concert events.
The halftime show is being organized through a partnership between FIFA and Global Citizen, with Chris Martin helping curate the production. The event is also tied to fundraising efforts for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which supports educational and sports initiatives for children worldwide.
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