Madonna, Shakira, and BTS to Headline First-Ever World Cup Final Half-Time Show

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NEW YORK: FIFA announced on Thursday that global icons Madonna, Shakira, and K-pop sensations BTS will headline a historic, Super Bowl-style half-time show during the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium. This marks the first time a musical extravaganza of this scale will be featured during the final match of a football World Cup.

The show is being curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin. While FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the event as a ‘historic moment’ befitting the world's biggest sporting event, the announcement has sparked discussions regarding the potential extension of the standard 15-minute half-time break. Similar shows at the 2024 Copa America and the FIFA Club World Cup previously stretched intervals beyond regulation time.

Beyond the entertainment value, the performance will serve a philanthropic purpose by supporting the Global Citizen Education Fund. This initiative aims to raise $100 million for children globally throughout the tournament. The 2026 World Cup, featuring an expanded 48-team format, is set to begin on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Shakira, a veteran of multiple World Cup performances, has already begun building momentum for the event by teasing the official 2026 anthem, ‘Dai Dai’. A promotional clip filmed at Brazil’s Maracana Stadium features the Colombian star performing alongside dancers and the official tournament match ball, the ‘Trionda’. The track, produced with Nigerian artist Burna Boy, is scheduled for official release this Thursday.

Infantino also revealed plans for FIFA to ‘take over’ New York’s Times Square during the final weekend of the tournament to celebrate the occasion. As preparations intensify for the July 19 final in New Jersey, the collaboration between these high-profile artists and FIFA signals a new era of entertainment integration for the sport.