FIFA has announced its first-ever World Cup final half-time show, featuring Madonna, Shakira and BTS in a star-studded performance set for New York/New Jersey Stadium this July.
WEBDESK – Source: ABC Australia
The FIFA World Cup final is set to make entertainment history this year as global music icons Madonna, Shakira and BTS will co-headline the tournament’s first-ever official half-time show.
The announcement was made by Global Citizen, the international advocacy organization producing the event in collaboration with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who is curating the performance.
The groundbreaking show will take place during the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, at the New York/New Jersey Stadium.
Traditionally, FIFA World Cup finals have not included large-scale musical performances during halftime, making this year’s event a major shift toward the entertainment-driven style often associated with the Super Bowl.
Organizers said the show will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative focused on expanding access to education and football opportunities for children worldwide.
The lineup announcement was revealed through a social media video featuring Chris Martin alongside popular Sesame Street and Muppets characters, including Elmo and Cookie Monster, as they placed a playful call to BTS.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico during June and July, making it one of the biggest multinational sporting events in football history.
Shakira, who has long been associated with FIFA through hit World Cup songs, recently released the official tournament anthem “Dai Dai” with Burna Boy.
Meanwhile, BTS launched their latest album “Arirang” earlier this year, while Madonna is preparing for the release of her upcoming album “Confessions II,” scheduled to arrive in July.
Entertainment analysts expect the historic half-time show to attract massive global television and online audiences, combining football, pop culture and international music fandoms on an unprecedented scale.
