Madonna, Shakira and K-pop group BTS will headline the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA World Cup final, FIFA announced on Thursday, marking a major expansion of entertainment programming around football’s biggest event.
The performance will take place during the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where the tournament will conclude after more than a month of matches across North America.
Coldplay singer Chris Martin will curate the show, which FIFA said will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aimed at improving access to education and football programs for children worldwide.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino described the event as “a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup” and said it would combine music, football and charitable fundraising.
The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and will be the largest edition of the tournament to date, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches.
The tournament begins on June 11 and includes an additional knockout round compared with previous editions.
The halftime show follows similar entertainment formats seen at recent major sporting events, including the Copa America final in Miami and last year’s FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium.
Organizers have not confirmed the exact duration of the halftime performance, though reports indicate the show could extend beyond the standard 15-minute interval allowed under football regulations.
Shakira is also preparing to release an official World Cup song titled Dai Dai featuring Nigerian singer Burna Boy, continuing her long association with FIFA tournaments after performing Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Madonna is preparing to release her upcoming album Confessions II in July, while BTS are returning to global performances following a hiatus linked to mandatory military service in South Korea.
The group is currently preparing for a world tour that will overlap with the World Cup final performance.
FIFA also said the halftime show will contribute to a campaign seeking to raise $100 million for children through the Global Citizen Education Fund.