Shakira, Madonna and BTS to headline first-ever World Cup final half-time show
Shakira, Madonna and BTS will headline the first-ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final during the 2026 final in New Jersey.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is set to make history with its first-ever Super Bowl-style half-time show, featuring global music stars Shakira, Madonna and BTS.
Listen to this article
FIFA confirmed that the performance will take place during the World Cup final on 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, marking a major entertainment first for football’s biggest event.
The show is being curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and is expected to last around 11 minutes.
While pre-match performances have become common at major football events, this will be the first official half-time concert during a World Cup final.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino described it as “a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup,” adding that the show would match “the biggest sporting event in the world.”
The line-up brings together three of the biggest names in global music.
Colombian superstar Shakira returns to the World Cup stage after previously performing at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 tournaments.
She recently teased her new official World Cup song Dai Dai, produced with Nigerian artist Burna Boy.
Madonna, currently preparing for the release of her upcoming album Confessions II, will also headline the show, while K-pop phenomenon BTS are set to perform as part of their major comeback following their military service hiatus.
The performance will also support FIFA’s Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aiming to raise $100 million for children worldwide during the tournament.
The 2026 World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, begins on 11 June and will be the largest edition in the competition’s history with 48 national teams competing.