Shakira, Madonna, and BTS Set to Headline World Cup Final’s First-Ever Halftime Show in New York

Before the planned 2026 FIFA World Cup event, Madonna and Shakira headlined Super Bowl halftime shows, in 2012 and 2020, respectively.

Shakira, Madonna, and BTS Set to Headline World Cup Final’s First-Ever Halftime Show in New York

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will feature a half-time show, with Madonna, BTS and Shakira performing. (via X)

In Short
  • Shakira, Madonna, and BTS will headline the first-ever halftime show at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
  • The tournament will feature 48 teams and a new knockout stage, the Round of 32.
  • The halftime show aims to raise nearly $100 million for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.

FIFA revealed a significant new feature for the 2026 Men’s World Cup, which is now only a month away. Marking a historic first, the WC final will include a half-time show featuring global music icons, including Madonna, Shakira, and the K-Pop super-group BTS.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is set to be hosted in 16 cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, will feature several ‘firsts’. For the first time since 1998, it has undergone a major expansion, with 48 teams set to compete.

As a result of this expansion, it has added an entirely new knockout stage, the Round of 32, meaning that the two teams who make it to the final will have to play a total of eight matches, up from the seven that they played until 2022. 

Entertainment is another important aspect of any World Cup, with FIFA confirming that the upcoming 2026 edition will feature a half-time show, on the day of the final, to be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, on July 19.

Curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and produced by Global Citizens, this landmark show is intended to raise funds for the FIFA-Global Citizens Education Fund to expand access to quality education and football for children across the world.

The introduction of a half-time show, a concept associated with the NFL Super Bowl, also marks a shift in the global football body’s presentation of its showpiece event in tandem with the sporting culture of the host nation. FIFA President Gianni Infantino made the official announcement of the final half-time show on social media. This event aims to secure close to $100 million in funding for a beneficial cause.

What is all the more fascinating is that global pop icons like Madonna, Shakira, and Korean music group BTS, are set to co-headline the historic performance. The show is expected to be longer than the customary 15-minute half-time interval during the final. The concept had already been tried during last year’s FIFA Club World Cup final at the same venue, with performances from Doja Cat, J Balvin, and Tems.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will also end a tradition by hosting three separate opening ceremonies, one in each of the three host nations. The tournament will officially launch in Mexico City on June 11, with subsequent opening acts following in Toronto and Los Angeles.

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England’s FIFA World Cup 2026 provisional squad announced: Harry Kane and Declan Rice included

England will enter the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the ambition of ending their 60-year trophy drought since their last victory in 1966. To prepare for the tournament, head coach Thomas Tuchel recently announced a provisional 55-member squad.

England World Cup squad
England named its 55-member squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. (via Mirror)

Tuchel took over the Three Lions national team job in 2024, after a successful tenure with Chelsea in the EPL. He replaced Gareth Southgate, who was head coach from 2016 to 2024. A lot will be expected out of the 52-year-old German manager, who named his 55-member provisional squad for the multi-nation event, starting July 11. England have been put in Group L, alongside Ghana, Croatia, and Panama. 

Among the many players who have made it to the roster so far are emerging talents like Jason Steele, Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento, Adam Wharton, Alex Scott, Jarell Quansah, Harvey Barnes, James Garner, Kobbie Mainoo, and Nico O’Reilly. Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, Declan Rice, John Stones, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Jude Bellingham, and a few others were a part of the 2022 squad.

The final 26-member squad will be announced on May 22, days before the Three Lions’ opener against European rivals, Croatia, on June 18. England’s all-time highest goal-scorer and Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane, is expected to captain the team.

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