FIFA World Cup final 2026: Madonna, Shakira and BTS confirmed for first-ever half-time show
Football’s biggest stage is getting a Super Bowl-style twist, with global megastars locked in for a historic first.
Madonna, Shakira and K-pop supergroup BTS are set to headline a blockbuster half-time performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, marking the first time the tournament will feature a Super Bowl-style show.
FIFA confirmed the entertainment line-up on Thursday, with the final scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The show is being curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and represents a major shift for football’s biggest event — although questions remain over how the spectacle will fit within the traditional half-time window.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.FIFA president Gianni Infantino had previously flagged the plan, revealing last year the final would include “the first-ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final”.
“This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world,” he said on Instagram.
The 2026 tournament kicks off on June 11 across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Sesame Street’s Elmo were the ones to announce the headliners on social media.
While half-time shows are new to the World Cup final, FIFA has already experimented with the format. Shakira performed during the 2024 Copa America final in Miami, while a similar show at last year’s FIFA Club World Cup final pushed the break beyond the standard 15 minutes.
Infantino also revealed FIFA plans to “take over” New York’s Times Square during the final weekend celebrations.
Beyond the entertainment factor, the performance will support FIFA’s Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million for children worldwide during the tournament.
Shakira, who has strong ties to the World Cup, has also been building anticipation off the pitch. Last week, she teased the tournament’s official song, Dai Dai, in a video filmed at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium.
The clip shows the Colombian star performing on the pitch while holding the official 2026 match ball, the “Trionda”, alongside dancers in national colours. The track is due for release on Thursday and ends with the message: “We’re ready!”
