Advertisement
Madonna, BTS and Shakira to headline FIFA World Cup 2026 final halftime show
14th May, 2026 01:16 PM
FIFA has announced that Madonna, Shakira and BTS will headline the first-ever official FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show, set to take place on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at New York New Jersey Stadium.
In an announcement made on FIFA’s official TikTok platform on Thursday, May 14, 2026, the organisation described the performance as a “FIFA World Cup first,” introducing a new structured entertainment format for the tournament’s final match.
“The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final Halftime Show is coming to New York, New Jersey Stadium, featuring superstars Madonna, Shakira, and BTS, curated by @coldplay ‘s Chris Martin!,” FIFA announced.
The football body also revealed that the show will be curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and is expected to bring together some of the world’s most influential global music acts on one stage.
FIFA first experimented with halftime-style entertainment during the 2025 Club World Cup, featuring performances by Doja Cat, Tems and J Balvin in collaboration with Global Citizen.
The 2026 final, however, marks the first time a structured halftime show format will be officially introduced at a FIFA World Cup Final.
Global icons on one stage
Madonna, Shakira and BTS are among the most globally influential entertainers of their generation, with record-breaking careers spanning music, awards and international tours.
Madonna is widely regarded as the “Queen of Pop,” while BTS have become one of the most successful global music groups in history with multiple Billboard chart-topping albums and Grammy nominations.
Shakira is a multi-Grammy Award-winning artist known for blending Latin, pop and global sounds and is widely credited for her strong influence in football culture through past World Cup performances.
Shakira has long been associated with football culture and global tournaments, and is credited with producing the official 2026 World Cup anthem, further strengthening her role in the event’s entertainment lineup.
Opening ceremony plans
The announcement comes just days after FIFA unveiled plans for its World Cup 2026 opening ceremony, set to take place across three countries.
FIFA announced on Friday, May 9, 2026, that global stars including Rema and Katy Perry will headline the historic opening ceremony, alongside other international acts such as Future, Anitta, LISA and Tyla, with performances scheduled in Los Angeles.
The World Cup will be held across the United States, Canada and Mexico, beginning on June 11, 2026, with the United States hosting the final for the first time since 1994.
Author
William Muthama
William Muthama is a digital journalist with a focus on entertainment, human interest, and current affairs. Share stories: [email protected]/ [email protected]
View all posts by William Muthama
