Madonna, Shakira, and BTS are set to headline the first halftime show ever staged during a FIFA World Cup final, organizers confirmed Thursday.
The performance will take place on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where the final match of the expanded 2026 tournament will be played. The announcement places music at the center of one of the most-watched sporting events in the world, bringing a Super Bowl-style format to soccer’s biggest stage.
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin is curating the show, which will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. The initiative is tied to improving access to education and soccer for children around the world.
The lineup brings together three acts with major global reach. Shakira has a long history with World Cup music, including her 2010 anthem Waka Waka. Madonna remains one of pop’s most recognized performers, while BTS brings one of the largest international fan bases in music.
The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.