By Paul Joseph
Global music superstars Madonna, Shakira and South Korean K-pop sensation BTS are expected to headline the first-ever halftime show in FIFA World Cup history during the 2026 tournament final.
The landmark entertainment event is scheduled to take place on July 19, 2026, at the World Cup final in New Jersey, marking a major shift in FIFA’s approach to combining football with global entertainment culture.
The initiative is being described as one of the most ambitious entertainment additions ever introduced to the FIFA World Cup, bringing together some of the biggest names in global music on football’s grandest stage.
According to reports, the halftime performance is expected to last around 11 minutes, although it could extend closer to FIFA’s traditional 15-minute halftime interval.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino reportedly described the introduction of the halftime show as a historic cultural moment for the sport, noting that the World Cup has evolved beyond football into a broader global celebration of entertainment, culture and unity.
The halftime production is expected to be curated by Chris Martin, lead vocalist of Coldplay, and will support FIFA’s Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative focused on expanding access to education for children worldwide.
The inclusion of Shakira has generated particular excitement among football fans, given her long-standing connection to the tournament through her iconic 2010 World Cup anthem, Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).
The Colombian singer is also reportedly preparing another World Cup-themed track titled “Dai Dai” with Nigerian Grammy-winning Afrobeats star Burna Boy ahead of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Madonna is said to be preparing for the release of her 15th studio album, while BTS continues its highly anticipated global comeback following the completion of mandatory military service by members of the group in South Korea.
The introduction of a halftime show mirrors the entertainment style traditionally associated with the Super Bowl in the United States and signals FIFA’s growing effort to make the World Cup final a full-scale global entertainment spectacle.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is already expected to be one of the most commercially and culturally significant tournaments in football history.
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