Madonna, Shakira, and BTS to Headline Historic First-Ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show in 2026
Pop music icons Madonna, Shakira, and K-pop group BTS are set to headline the inaugural FIFA World Cup final halftime show on July 19 at MetLife Stadium. This historic 11-minute performance, curated by Global Citizen and Chris Martin, aims to raise funds for global education and football access. The event highlights the artists' ongoing musical endeavors and their past experiences with major sporting event performances.
Global music stars Madonna, Shakira, and BTS are set to headline the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA World Cup final, as announced by Global Citizen on May 14. The performance will take place on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and is expected to last 11 minutes.
This marks a historic shift, as it will be the first time the World Cup final features a dedicated halftime entertainment segment. The announcement was revealed through a playful promotional video featuring Coldplay’s Chris Martin alongside characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets, with BTS also appearing via a virtual call.
The production was designed to build global anticipation for the event, which is being curated in partnership with Global Citizen and Chris Martin. The initiative also supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million for education and football access programs worldwide.
Shakira’s involvement is particularly notable as she has already released an official 2026 World Cup song and continues her global tour around the event dates. Madonna is also preparing for a major July release and music projects, while BTS recently returned from military service with a successful album and world tour.
Alongside the halftime show, FIFA has confirmed additional performers for the opening ceremonies, including Katy Perry, Future, Tyla, LISA, and Anitta across host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.