Shakira, Madonna, and BTS to Rock First World Cup Final Halftime Show

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-05-15

FIFA has confirmed that Shakira, Madonna, and K-pop group BTS will perform at the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA World Cup final. The show takes place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, during the 2026 World Cup final. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin is curating the performance, which will be broadcast live to millions of viewers worldwide. The announcement was made jointly by FIFA and Global Citizen on May 14. It marks a significant shift for the World Cup, which has never featured a dedicated halftime performance at its final match. ### What to Expect From the Historic Halftime Performance Chris Martin described the show as being "all about togetherness," adding that "everyone's invited." The production is being handled by Global Citizen in partnership with Live Nation and Done + Dusted. Characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets will also appear during the show, a decision tied directly to its educational focus. The lineup spans generations and genres, bringing together one of pop music's longest-standing icons, Madonna; a Colombian singer with deep World Cup roots, Shakira; and one of the world's most popular music groups, BTS. The show is comparable in scale to the NFL's Super Bowl halftime show, which has become one of the most-watched entertainment events in the world each year. FIFA president Gianni Infantino called it "a celebration of football, unity and shared humanity."  ### Shakira Brings Deep World Cup History to the Stage Shakira is no stranger to the World Cup. She performed at the 2006 and 2014 finals and created Waka Waka, the official song for the 2010 tournament in South Africa. Last week, she teased her new track titled Dai Dai, which is the official song for the 2026 World Cup. The song was produced with Nigerian artist Burna Boy and filmed at Brazil's Maracanã Stadium. In the announcement video, Shakira appeared on the Maracanã pitch holding the Trionda, the official match ball for the 2026 tournament. She performed excerpts of the song alongside dancers dressed in the colors of several competing nations, including the United States and Colombia. Shakira also sits on the advisory board of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, the initiative the halftime show directly supports.  ### Show Aims to Raise $100 Million for Children's Education The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show is tied to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which is working to raise $100 million to improve access to quality education and football for children in underserved communities across the world. More than $30 million has already been raised. One dollar from every World Cup match ticket sold is being donated to the fund. The fund has already announced its first group of grant recipients, supporting programmes across 10 countries that combine education, sport, and community engagement. The advisory board behind the fund includes FIFA president Gianni Infantino, actor Hugh Jackman, tennis great Serena Williams, Brazilian football legend Kaká, and singer The Weeknd, among others. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the largest in history, featuring 48 teams across matches held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It kicks off on June 11. ### Why This Halftime Show Matters This is more than just a concert. It's a statement. The World Cup final has never had a halftime show before, and this one is setting a new standard. With a mix of global superstars and beloved characters, it's designed to bring people together. - The show supports education for kids worldwide. - It features artists from different cultures and eras. - It's part of a bigger push to use sports for good. For the latest sports news and updates, follow the JeetWin Blog.