Madonna, Shakira and K-pop supergroup BTS will headline a Super Bowl-style half-time show at the 2026 World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, FIFA announced on Thursday.
Coldplay’s Chris Martin is curating the spectacle, marking the first time a half-time entertainment show will be staged at a World Cup final, though the move has already raised questions over how it could affect the duration of the break.
The expanded World Cup, featuring 48 teams, will run from June 11 across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino first revealed plans for a half-time show in March last year, describing it as a historic addition to the tournament. However, he did not disclose performers or details about timing.
“This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world,” Infantino said on Instagram.
The concept mirrors entertainment elements introduced at recent tournaments, including the 2024 Copa America final in Miami, where Shakira performed at half-time, as well as the FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, which saw an extended break beyond the traditional 15 minutes.
Infantino also confirmed FIFA plans to “take over” New York’s Times Square during the final weekend of the tournament as part of wider fan engagement activities.
The half-time show will support FIFA’s Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million for global children’s education initiatives during the World Cup period.
Separately, Shakira recently teased the tournament’s official song, sharing a short video filmed at Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Maracana Stadium.
The track, titled “Dai Dai”, features Nigerian star Burna Boy and is set for official release on Thursday.
In the 67-second clip, Shakira appears on the pitch at the Maracana holding the official 2026 World Cup match ball, the “Trionda”, while performing excerpts of the song alongside dancers dressed in national team colours.
The Colombian singer, who has a long association with the World Cup, previously performed at the 2006 and 2014 finals and famously delivered the 2010 anthem “Waka Waka”.
