Madonna, Shakira, and BTS to Perform Halftime at World Cup 2026 Final

Madonna, Shakira, and BTS are set to deliver a historic halftime performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026 final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New York, USA.

According to Billboard, this will mark the first-ever halftime show in World Cup history, expected to last approximately 11 minutes, bringing a Super Bowl-style entertainment experience to global football’s biggest stage.

A Historic Show Directed by Chris Martin

The performance will be directed by Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay, and aims to support a meaningful cause. The event is part of a campaign to raise funds for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.

The initiative targets $100 million to expand access to education and soccer opportunities for children worldwide. So far, over $30 million has already been raised, including $1 from every World Cup ticket sold.

Global Superstars Return to the World Stage

Both Madonna and Shakira are no strangers to major sporting events, having previously performed at the Super Bowl halftime show—one of the most-watched entertainment events globally.

Meanwhile, Jungkook, a member of BTS, previously captivated audiences during the opening ceremony of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, further solidifying the group’s global influence.

Shakira’s World Cup Comeback with “Dai Dai”

In addition to performing, Shakira has released the official World Cup song Dai Dai, in collaboration with Burna Boy. This marks her second World Cup anthem, following the iconic Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) in 2010.

She is also set to begin her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour 2026 in June, with major stops in New Jersey and New York—strategically aligned with the World Cup final buzz.

Madonna and BTS: New Music and Global Tours

Madonna will release her highly anticipated album Confessions II on July 3, a sequel to her 2005 hit album Confessions on a Dance Floor. She has already dropped singles like Bring Your Love (featuring Sabrina Carpenter) and I Feel So Free.

BTS recently made a powerful comeback with their sixth studio album ARIRANG, their first project after completing military service. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and held the position for three consecutive weeks.

They have also launched the ARIRANG World Tour, starting in Goyang, South Korea, and expanding into the United States from April 25.

World Cup 2026: Bigger Than Ever

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico during June and July. This edition will feature a record-breaking 48 teams, up from 32, with a total of 104 matches across approximately 16 cities.

While the expansion increases global participation, it also raises concerns about match quality and travel demands due to the vast geographical scale of the tournament.

In addition to the halftime show, FIFA has announced an impressive lineup for the opening ceremony, including Katy Perry, Future, Tyla, LISA, and Anitta.