History in the making: Madonna, Shakira and BTS to headline first ever World Cup final halftime show

In a groundbreaking move for global football, FIFA has announced that music legends Madonna, Shakira and K-pop superstars BTS will perform at the first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show. 

The historic concert will take place during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final in a major push to blend sport with global entertainment.

A new era for the beautiful game

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to completely transform the fan experience. In what is being hailed as a landmark decision, FIFA revealed in a major announcement that the final match on July 19 at MetLife Stadium will feature an inaugural halftime show. While the tournament has always included grand opening and closing ceremonies, this marks the first time a major concert will interrupt the final, taking clear inspiration from the hugely successful NFL Super Bowl model. 

The announcement came via a charming social media video that featured Coldplay’s Chris Martin alongside beloved characters from The Muppets and Sesame Street, including Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, hinting at the show's goal of creating a celebration of global unity. Martin is reportedly helping to curate the 11-minute performance, which is being produced in partnership with the social action organisation Global Citizen.

A performance with a purpose

This historic event aims to be more than just entertainment. The collaboration with Global Citizen will support a significant social cause. Funds connected to the project are set to contribute to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an ambitious initiative aiming to raise $100 million. The money will be used to improve access to education and football opportunities for children across the globe, using the world's biggest stage to make a tangible difference.

A legendary line-up for a historic stage

The choice of headliners brings together three of the most powerful forces in music, each with a history of commanding global audiences. Madonna, the Queen of Pop, is expected to deliver one of her signature large-scale visual productions.

For those unversed, her critically acclaimed 2012 Super Bowl XLVI halftime show was a cultural phenomenon, drawing a staggering 114 million viewers, which was more than the game itself at the time. Her appearance is also reportedly timed ahead of her upcoming album, Confessions II, which is rumoured for a July 2026 release.

Shakira’s involvement feels particularly fitting, given her deep ties to football culture. The Colombian superstar became synonymous with the tournament after her anthem 'Waka Waka' became the sound of the 2010 World Cup. 

She is no stranger to major sporting events, having co-headlined the Super Bowl LIV halftime show in 2020 with Jennifer Lopez in a performance celebrated for its vibrant energy. Reports suggest she is also set to release the official song for the 2026 World Cup, a track titled 'Dai Dai' featuring Burna Boy.

Meanwhile, the participation of K-pop giants BTS marks one of the group’s biggest public performances since they reunited after completing their mandatory military service. 

The group's member Jungkook already graced the World Cup stage during the 2022 opening ceremony in Qatar. Following the recent success of their sixth studio album ARIRANG, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, their appearance is guaranteed to attract enormous attention from their dedicated global fanbase.

FIFA's major entertainment push

This halftime show is the pinnacle of FIFA's growing strategy to merge sport with mainstream pop culture. The organisation has experimented with similar formats before, featuring artists like Doja Cat and J Balvin during the 2025 Club World Cup. However, the final's show is on an entirely different scale. 

This push extends across the entire tournament, which is the largest in history and co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. FIFA has also announced three separate opening ceremonies, one in each host nation, with their own star-studded line-ups. Performers are set to include Katy Perry, Future, LISA of BLACKPINK and Tyla in the US; Maná and J Balvin in Mexico; and Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette in Canada, proving FIFA is going all-in on entertainment.

The introduction of this blockbuster halftime show signals a monumental shift for the World Cup, promising to create a new and exciting tradition that will captivate football fans and music lovers alike for years to come.