Madonna, Shakira, BTS to headline World Cup final half-time show..

FIFA has officially confirmed that Madonna, Shakira and BTS will headline the first-ever halftime show in a FIFA World Cup final. The performance is scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

                                                                          

The show is being described as “Super Bowl-style,” marking a major shift for FIFA, which has never staged a halftime concert during a World Cup final before. Chris Martin is curating the event in partnership with Global Citizen.

                                                                          

According to FIFA, the event will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million for children’s education and access to sport worldwide. Reports say the artists are performing without pay as part of the initiative.

The announcement has generated huge excitement among music fans, especially because Shakira already has strong World Cup ties through songs like “Waka Waka,” while BTS’s involvement signals FIFA’s push toward a younger global audience.

                                                                        

At the same time, some football supporters have criticized the move as an “Americanization” of the World Cup, worrying that the traditional 15-minute halftime break could be extended. Similar concerns appeared during the 2024 Copa América final halftime show headlined by Shakira.