The final of the 2026 World Cup will for the first time feature a full-fledged halftime show — in a format reminiscent of the Super Bowl. Madonna, Shakira, and the South Korean group BTS will perform on stage.
FIFA has officially confirmed: the final of the 2026 World Cup will not only be the main sporting event but also a large-scale musical show.
During the halftime of the final match, which will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Madonna, Shakira, and BTS will perform. Organizers are calling this the first full-fledged halftime show in the history of the World Cups.
The musical segment will be curated by Coldplay member Chris Martin.
In fact, FIFA has decided to bring to the World Cup a format that has long become iconic for the American Super Bowl, where the halftime show often generates as much interest as the game itself.
For football tournaments of this scale, this is indeed a historic change.
The 2026 World Cup is already set to be the largest in history — for the first time, 48 teams will compete. The tournament will take place in three countries: the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino first mentioned plans to hold a musical show during the final last year. At that time, details were kept secret.
It is now known that FIFA is betting on several generations of viewers and a global audience — from pop music and K-pop fans to football fans around the world.
Particular attention is now focused on Shakira, who has long been associated with the World Cups.
Last week, the singer hinted at a new official song for the 2026 World Cup by posting a video shot at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
In the clip, Shakira performs snippets of a new composition "Dai Dai," recorded with Nigerian musician Burna Boy. The video ends with the phrase: "We are ready!"
For FIFA, this is not just a concert, but an attempt to turn the World Cup final into an event of global pop culture — with a show that will be discussed far beyond football.
Infantino also stated that during the final weekend of the tournament, FIFA plans large-scale events at Times Square in New York City.
Judging by the initial announcements, the 2026 World Cup will be the most spectacular and commercially significant tournament in the history of football.
