The announcement, made early Thursday (May 14), confirms that the Sunday, July 19 final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will mark the debut of a structured halftime entertainment segment at football’s biggest match. The show is expected to run for approximately 11 minutes.
The reveal came through a light-hearted social media video featuring Coldplay’s Chris Martin alongside Sesame Street characters Elmo and Cookie Monster, as well as members of The Muppets, who humorously connect with BTS via FaceTime before the lineup is unveiled.
Shakira’s involvement adds another chapter to her long World Cup legacy. She is already tied to the 2026 tournament’s musical identity through her collaboration with Burna Boy on “Dai Dai,” the official song for the competition. This marks her second FIFA World Cup anthem after the global hit “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” from the 2010 South Africa tournament. Her packed schedule also includes tour stops in New Jersey and New York around the final.
Madonna’s appearance comes amid a busy summer schedule of her own, with her upcoming album “Confessions II” slated for release on July 3. The project follows her 2005 dance classic and includes recent releases such as “Bring Your Love,” a duet with Sabrina Carpenter, and “I Feel So Free.”
BTS, meanwhile, continue their global comeback after completing military service obligations, returning earlier this year with their album “ARIRANG,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and held the top spot for three consecutive weeks. The group has since launched their world tour, with dates scheduled across North America and beyond.
The halftime show is being curated by Global Citizen in collaboration with Chris Martin, with proceeds tied to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to support global access to education and football development. The initiative has already surpassed $30 million in contributions, partly fueled by donations from World Cup ticket sales.
“The FIFA World Cup final halftime show will be an iconic moment that unites music, sport, and global impact,” Global Citizen said in its announcement video.
The project builds on previous collaborations between FIFA and Global Citizen, including last year’s Club World Cup final halftime show featuring Doja Cat, J Balvin, and Tems.
FIFA has also confirmed a separate lineup for the tournament’s opening ceremonies, featuring artists such as Katy Perry, Future, Tyla, LISA, and Anitta.
For both Madonna and Shakira, the stage will feel familiar, as each previously headlined Super Bowl halftime shows, setting the tone for what is expected to be one of the most-watched live entertainment moments in global sport history.