International music icons Madonna, Shakira and K-pop group BTS are expected to headline the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA World Cup final, marking a major entertainment milestone for the tournament.
The historic performance is scheduled to take place during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on July 19 in New Jersey, bringing together football and live entertainment on one of the biggest global stages.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the initiative as a significant moment for world football, emphasizing that the tournament is increasingly becoming a wider cultural celebration.
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Shakira, widely recognised for her 2010 World Cup anthem “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” is also reportedly preparing to release a new tournament song titled “Dai Dai” alongside Nigerian Grammy-winning singer Burna Boy.
Madonna is currently working ahead of the release of her 15th studio album, while BTS continues its global return following the completion of mandatory military service by its members in South Korea.
The halftime event is expected to be curated by Chris Martin and will support FIFA’s Global Citizen Education Fund, which focuses on improving access to education for children around the world.
The introduction of a halftime show reflects FIFA’s broader push to merge sports and entertainment, positioning the World Cup final as a major global cultural spectacle in addition to football.
