FIFA confirmed on Thursday that global music icons Madonna, Shakira and K-pop supergroup BTS will lead the first halftime show during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Finals at MetLife Stadium on July 19.

The historic show, curated by Chris Martin, marks a significant change in the presentation of FIFA’s showpiece event, bringing the World Cup final closer to the entertainment spectacle associated with the Super Bowl in the United States.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the line-up via social media, saying that the performance would unite “music, football and a shared commitment to improving the lives of children around the world”.

“The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final halftime show will be a truly special moment,” Infantino said, confirming that the event will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to expand access to education and football for children around the world.

The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will run from June 11 to July 19 and will feature 48 teams for the first time. FIFA expanded the tournament to 104 matches from the previous 64, while introducing an additional knockout round.

The inclusion of a halftime concert during the final may also extend the traditional 15-minute interval, although FIFA has not yet confirmed the exact duration of the break.

Halftime entertainment has long been a staple of major American sporting events, especially the Super Bowl. Madonna previously headlined the Super Bowl halftime show in 2012, while Shakira performed with Jennifer Lopez in 2020.

FIFA already used the concept during last year’s Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, where Chelsea won over Paris Saint-Germain with performances from Doja Cat, J Balvin and Thames.

The 2026 edition is expected to be the biggest World Cup in history, with matches spread across venues in the United States, Canada and Mexico before culminating in the final in New Jersey.

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