BTS, Madonna and Shakira to Headline First-Ever FIFA World Cup Halftime Show in 2026

The 2026 FIFA World Cup 2026 final will make history with the tournament’s first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show, featuring global music icons BTS, Madonna and Shakira.

The historic event is scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium during the World Cup final.

FIFA and Global Citizen Announce Star-Studded Halftime Show

FIFA and Global Citizen officially revealed the lineup through a special social media announcement on May 14. The video featured Chris Martin of Coldplay alongside Sesame Street characters including Elmo, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and Cookie Monster.

Martin described the halftime show as “a chance to show how amazing all different kinds of humans are” while also helping raise funds for children’s education worldwide.

According to FIFA, the event will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which focuses on improving access to education and football opportunities for children around the world.

BTS Return to the Global Stage

The halftime show marks another massive milestone for BTS following the completion of the members’ mandatory military service in South Korea.

The group recently released their fifth studio album, ARIRANG, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. Members RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook are currently on a worldwide tour that includes major U.S. stops later this year.

Since 2020, BTS have earned six No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and remain one of the biggest music acts in the world.

Madonna Set for Huge Summer Return

Madonna is also preparing for a major comeback in 2026. The Queen of Pop recently performed with Sabrina Carpenter at Coachella and is expected to release her upcoming album Confessions II on July 3.

Fans previously noticed that Madonna and FIFA’s official social media accounts had begun following each other, fueling speculation before the official announcement.

Shakira Returns to the World Cup Stage

Shakira is no stranger to football’s biggest tournament. The Colombian superstar famously performed the 2010 World Cup anthem “Waka Waka” during the tournament in South Africa.

She recently released “Dai Dai,” the official song for the 2026 World Cup, featuring Burna Boy.

More Performers Announced for 2026 World Cup

FIFA will also stage opening ceremonies across all three host nations — the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Mexico City Opening Ceremony

Artists scheduled to perform include:

Maná

Alejandro Fernández

Belinda

Danny Ocean

J Balvin

Lila Downs

Los Ángeles Azules

Tyla

Los Angeles Opening Match

The U.S. opener will feature:

Katy Perry

Future

Anitta

LISA

Rema

Tyla

Toronto Opening Match

Canada’s opening ceremony performers include:

Michael Bublé

Alanis Morissette

Alessia Cara

Jessie Reyez

Nora Fatehi

FIFA Finally Brings a Halftime Show to the World Cup

The 2026 tournament marks the first time FIFA has approved a halftime concert during the World Cup final. Interestingly, a similar idea was proposed during the 1994 World Cup in the United States.

Former U.S. Soccer president Alan Rothenberg revealed that Whitney Houston was originally planned for a halftime show during the 1994 final, but FIFA rejected the proposal at the time.

More than three decades later, FIFA is finally embracing the Super Bowl-style entertainment format as the World Cup prepares for one of the biggest spectacles in sports history.

_________