The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is set to make history with a star-studded halftime performance featuring global music icons Madonna, Shakira and K-pop sensation BTS.
The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will conclude on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The halftime performance is expected to last 11 minutes, although reports have suggested it could run longer than the traditional 15-minute break allowed under football regulations.
This will mark the first-ever halftime show in World Cup final history, following the growing trend of entertainment performances at major football events such as the UEFA Champions League final. Last year’s Club World Cup final in the United States featured an extended halftime show that lasted more than 24 minutes.
Shakira is also preparing to release the tournament’s official song, Dai Dai, featuring Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy. The singer previously delivered the iconic 2010 World Cup anthem Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) during the tournament in South Africa.
Meanwhile, Madonna is gearing up for the release of her upcoming album Confessions II in July. The pop legend recently thrilled fans with a surprise appearance during Sabrina Carpenter’s set at the Coachella festival, where they performed Vogue and Like A Prayer together.
BTS, currently returning from a lengthy hiatus due to mandatory military service, are in the middle of an extensive world tour and are expected to bring their trademark energy to the global stage.
The halftime show is being curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay and will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aimed at raising $100 million for children’s education worldwide.
