FIFA unveils World Cup final halftime show
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will introduce a major entertainment addition inspired by the NFL, with FIFA confirming plans for the tournament’s first-ever halftime show.
FIFA announced Thursday that Madonna, Shakira, and BTS will headline the performance during the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
According to FIFA officials, the halftime production is intended to broaden the tournament’s cultural reach while combining music, sports, and philanthropy on a global stage.
“Madonna, Shakira, and BTS are global icons whose music transcends borders and generations, and we are proud to welcome them to the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.
The performance will also support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative focused on expanding access to education and soccer programs for children in more than 200 countries. FIFA said the campaign aims to raise over $100 million through World Cup-related efforts.
“This historic show will also shine a light on a greater purpose by supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund and our shared mission to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children worldwide,” Infantino said. “It will be a celebration of football, unity, and shared humanity that will resonate far beyond the final whistle.”
Madonna is expected to lead the halftime production with a theatrical opening segment. The singer said the event carries personal significance because of its focus on education.
“Performing at the World Cup final in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund is deeply meaningful to me,” Madonna said in a statement. “Without education, children are denied opportunity before they even have a chance.”
“Every child deserves access to a quality learning experience—because education expands possibilities and creates lasting change.”
BTS is expected to attract younger audiences and expand the event’s international appeal. The group described music as “the universal language of hope and harmony” while emphasizing the importance of supporting children’s education globally.
Shakira, who already has a longstanding connection to the World Cup through her 2010 anthem “Waka Waka,” will also participate as a board member of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
“I’ve spent my life doing two things—making songs and building schools,” Shakira said. “At the FIFA World Cup, those two paths come together.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will run through the end of July. FIFA has also faced attention over rising ticket prices, with premium seats reportedly exceeding $32,000 following recent increases.
