Madonna, BTS and Shakira to Headline First-Ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show
LOS ANGELES — Madonna, global K-pop sensation BTS, and Latin music superstar Shakira are set to headline the first-ever halftime show at the FIFA World Cup Final, FIFA announced.
The historic entertainment event will take place during the World Cup final on July 19 in New Jersey and marks FIFA’s latest effort to blend global sports and large-scale live entertainment in a format similar to the Super Bowl halftime show.
The announcement was made through a teaser featuring Chris Martin and Elmo, alongside several familiar Muppet characters including Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog. Martin and Elmo revealed the three international music acts selected to headline the performance.
According to FIFA, proceeds from the halftime show will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a global initiative aimed at raising $100 million to expand access to education and football programs for children worldwide.
FIFA first experimented with halftime entertainment during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which featured performances by Doja Cat, Tems, and J Balvin.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off on June 11 across host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament marks the first World Cup hosted in North America since 1994, when the United States staged what remains one of the most attended tournaments in FIFA history.
Meanwhile, Indian actress and performer Nora Fatehi is scheduled to perform at the World Cup opening ceremony on June 12 at BMO Field in Toronto.
She will join a lineup that includes Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Elyanna, Jessie Reyez, Sanjoy, Vegedream, and William Prince.
According to FIFA, the opening ceremony will celebrate Canada’s cultural diversity and identity through music, storytelling, and performances designed to welcome fans from around the world to the tournament.
