Madonna, Shakira, and BTS to Headline First-Ever World Cup Final Halftime Show
The biggest soccer match in the world is getting an even bigger soundtrack. For the first time ever, the FIFA World Cup final will feature a halftime show, and FIFA…
The biggest soccer match in the world is getting an even bigger soundtrack.
For the first time ever, the FIFA World Cup final will feature a halftime show, and FIFA is bringing in some of the world’s biggest music stars to make it unforgettable. Madonna, Shakira, and BTS are officially set to perform during the 2026 championship match, adding a pop music twist to one of the planet’s most-watched sporting events.
The exciting announcement was shared on Wednesday, May 13, on the official FIFA World Cup Instagram account.
“On July 19, the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show is coming to New York New Jersey Stadium, featuring superstars@madonna ,@shakira , [email protected] , curated by@coldplay ‘s Chris Martin!” the post read.
A historic first for the World Cup
The final match will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. While halftime shows are a major tradition at events like the Super Bowl, this marks the first time FIFA has added one to the World Cup final.
But the performance is about more than entertainment.
The post added, “A FIFA World Cup first, the Halftime Show supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a landmark initiative working to raise $100 USD million to expand access to quality education and football for children around the world. Throughout the tournament, USD 1 from every ticket sold to FIFA World Cup 2026 matches will be donated to the Fund.”
Chris Martin and some familiar faces help break the news
To help reveal the star-studded lineup, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin shared an Instagram video featuring BTS on FaceTime. The playful announcement also included some beloved Sesame Street characters, including Elmo, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Animal, Cookie Monster, and Statler and Waldorf.
A huge summer for music and soccer
The halftime show news comes during a busy season for Madonna, who recently announced her new album Confessions II and surprised fans with an appearance during Sabrina Carpenter’s headlining Coachella set. The new album, a follow-up to her 2005 hit Confessions on a Dancefloor, is set to arrive on July 3.
The 2026 World Cup officially kicks off on June 11 and will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament will feature 48 teams, beginning with Mexico facing South Africa in the opening match.
Fans can also expect music throughout the tournament. Earlier this month, Katy Perry, J Balvin, Future, Michael Bublé, Tyla, and Lisa were announced as performers for the three opening ceremonies.
Perry will headline the U.S. opening ceremony on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. J Balvin will lead celebrations in Mexico City, while Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette, and Alessia Cara will co-headline in Toronto.
One of the world’s biggest stages
According to Variety, the World Cup final is the most-watched annual sporting event in the world. The 2022 final drew more than 500 million live viewers, meaning this new halftime show could become one of the most-watched music performances ever.
With global music icons, soccer fans, and millions of viewers tuning in, FIFA’s first halftime show is shaping up to be a major moment both on and off the field.
