Shakira, Madonna and BTS Confirmed for Historic 2026 World Cup Final Halftime Show

By: Shawn
FIFA has officially announced that Shakira, Madonna, and BTS will headline the first-ever halftime show during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. The landmark entertainment event is set to take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, combining football and live music on one of sport’s biggest stages.
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‎FIFA confirms Shakira, Madonna and BTS for the first-ever 2026 World Cup final halftime show at MetLife Stadium.
‎Getty Images Entertainment 
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The halftime spectacle will be curated by Chris Martin and was revealed through a special social media presentation featuring characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets. FIFA stated that the event will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aimed at improving access to quality education and football coaching for disadvantaged children worldwide.

The lineup brings together some of the world’s most recognised music acts. Shakira enters the tournament after recently releasing the official World Cup song, “Dai Dai,” with Burna Boy. Madonna is also preparing for the release of her upcoming studio album, Confessions II, in July. Meanwhile, BTS continue their global comeback following the completion of mandatory military service and the March release of their sixth studio album, Arirang.

FIFA’s entertainment plans extend beyond the final itself. The organisation has arranged performances across the tournament’s three host nations, beginning with an opening ceremony at SoFi Stadium on June 12 featuring Katy Perry and Future. Additional opening celebrations are also planned in Canada and Mexico, with Michael Bublé performing in Toronto and J Balvin leading festivities in Mexico City.

The expanded 48-team tournament is expected to attract a massive global audience, and FIFA’s entertainment strategy is designed to create cultural moments both on and off the pitch.

Focus is now turning toward the opening matches as national teams continue preparations for the competition in North America. The United States are scheduled to begin against Paraguay in California, while Mexico will face South Africa at Azteca Stadium. With BTS currently on a sold-out world tour and Madonna preparing for an appearance at the Tribeca Festival, the World Cup final halftime show is expected to feature the artists at the height of their international popularity.

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