New York/New Jersey — FIFA on Thursday revealed that global superstars Shakira, Madonna, and BTS will co-headline the first-ever halftime show at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final, set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The announcement marks a historic shift for the World Cup final, which traditionally features only a short 15-minute halftime break with minimal entertainment. Organizers are drawing inspiration from the Super Bowl halftime show to create a larger global spectacle.
The performance will be curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin and produced by Global Citizen, FIFA’s partner in a four-year collaboration aimed at driving social impact through music and sport.
Partnership with Global CitizenThe halftime show supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a landmark initiative working to raise $100 million to expand access to quality education and football for children worldwide. Proceeds and awareness from the event will contribute to the fund, with $1 from every 2026 World Cup ticket sold also directed toward the cause.
Global Citizen has described the show as blending “music, sport, and social impact” to inspire millions.
BTS Connection to FIFAThis marks a major return for BTS to the FIFA stage. In 2022, band member Jungkook performed his single “Dreamers” (featuring Qatar’s Fahad Al Kubaisi) at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, becoming one of the standout musical moments of that tournament.
The full 2026 halftime lineup and show format details are expected in the coming months. The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
