FIFA has announced that global music stars Shakira, Madonna and BTS will headline the first-ever halftime show during a FIFA World Cup final, marking a major entertainment expansion for the tournament.
The performance is scheduled to take place during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with millions of viewers expected to watch worldwide alongside a sold-out stadium audience.
The 2026 tournament will begin on June 11 in Mexico City, with matches hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Coldplay’s Chris Martin To Curate Historic Performance
FIFA confirmed that the halftime show will be curated by Chris Martin and produced in partnership with Global Citizen.
The event will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise 100 million US dollars to improve access to education and football opportunities for children around the world.
According to FIFA, one dollar from every ticket sold for FIFA World Cup 2026 matches will be donated directly to the initiative.
Global Superstars Lead FIFA’s Entertainment Expansion
The halftime lineup brings together some of the world’s biggest music acts, including Shakira, Madonna and BTS.
Shakira has long been associated with FIFA tournaments after performing iconic World Cup songs including “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” during the 2010 tournament.
The announcement video released on social media featured Chris Martin alongside characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets, with a cameo appearance from BTS.
FIFA Adopts A Super Bowl-Style Spectacle
The introduction of a halftime show represents a significant shift for the World Cup final, traditionally focused solely on football without large-scale mid-match entertainment.
The move mirrors the format used during the Super Bowl in the United States, where halftime performances regularly attract global audiences and major commercial attention.
FIFA is expected to reveal additional details about the production, staging and supporting performers closer to the tournament.
