The FIFA World Cup Is Getting a Super Bowl-Style Halftime Show With Madonna, Shakira, and BTS
The FIFA World Cup final is officially getting the Super Bowl treatment.
FIFA has officially announced that Madonna, Shakira, and BTS will headline the first-ever halftime show in World Cup history during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, 2026. The massive performance marks a major shift for the global soccer tournament, which has traditionally focused entirely on the match itself without a dedicated mid-game concert spectacle.
The announcement was made through an official FIFA press release. The Final Halftime Show is being produced by Global Citizen-the international advocacy organization known for producing large-scale music events-in partnership with Live Nation and Done + Dusted.
The Halftime Show will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aiming to raise $100 million USD to "expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children worldwide." The Fund will match $1 from every ticket sold to the FIFA World Cup 2026 to support social projects around the world.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the Final's show as a "historic moment" for the tournament and said the organization wanted to create a global entertainment experience that matches the scale of the world's most-watched sporting event.
"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," Infantino said in the press release.
In a short film announcing the performers, Martin added that the show will be "all about togetherness… and everyone's invited."
The lineup itself spans multiple generations and continents, underscoring FIFA's goal of creating a truly global performance. Madonna brings decades of pop culture history and stadium-show experience, while Shakira has long been associated with soccer thanks to her iconic World Cup anthem "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)," which became synonymous with the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
"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.
Shakira added that she has spent her life doing two things: making songs and building schools. And now, those two paths will "come together" for her at the FIFA World Cup.
"Standing alongside Madonna and BTS, I'll be performing 'Dai Dai,' the song I created for this World Cup and for the kids around the world we will reach with the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund," she said. "My hope is that on the world's biggest stage, the importance of investing in children's education steals the show!"
Meanwhile, BTS adds an enormous international fanbase to the event. The K-pop supergroup remains one of the most influential music acts in the world, and their participation is expected to drive huge global viewership and social media engagement surrounding the final.
"Music is the universal language of hope and harmony, and we're honored to celebrate that power at the World Cup by connecting with millions of viewers around the world in support of children's education," BTS said in the press release.
The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first time three countries have hosted the tournament together.
While the NFL's Super Bowl halftime show has become one of the most anticipated entertainment events of the year, halftime performances have never been part of FIFA World Cup finals-until now.
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This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 3:29 PM.