The inaugural halftime show of the World Cup final will be headlined by global icons Madonna, Shakira, and the boy band BTS.
FIFA has declared that, for the first time in history, the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19 will feature a concert reminiscent of the Super Bowl.
–
2026 World Cup: Announced squad lists and players so far
–
Trump administration waiving visa bonds for World Cup attendees
–
2026 World Cup Power Rankings, 30 days out: Who’s leading?
FIFA stated that the halftime show will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million for providing children with access to education and soccer.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed that the event will combine “music and football on the largest stage in sports for an important cause.” He emphasized on Instagram, “Every child should have the chance to dream, and together we can help make that happen.”
The halftime show will be curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay.
The Super Bowl is renowned for its halftime performances, featuring the biggest stars. This year’s featured artist was Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny.
Past headliners have included legends like Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, and Rihanna.
Madonna took center stage at the Super Bowl halftime show in 2012, while Shakira shared the spotlight with Jennifer Lopez in 2020.
Last summer, FIFA held a halftime show during the Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, where Chelsea triumphed over Paris Saint-Germain 3-0.
Halftime shows are rare in soccer, with most events like the Champions League final featuring concerts prior to the match. On May 30, the Killers will perform at Europe’s premier club soccer final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal in Budapest.
The duration of the World Cup halftime show is still unspecified, but typically, halftime in soccer doesn’t exceed 15 minutes.
FIFA characterizes it as “a unique moment at the intersection of sport, culture, and purpose, broadcasted live across the globe.”
The largest World Cup ever, featuring 48 teams, is set to kick off on June 11, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The Associated Press and PA contributed to this report.