BTS, Madonna, and Shakira are officially co-headlining the first-ever FIFA World Cup 2026 halftime show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, 2026.
On May 14, 2026, FIFA and Global Citizen confirmed that BTS, Madonna, and Shakira will co-headline the world cup 2026 halftime show, making it the first of its kind in the tournament’s history. The performance is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and it is already one of the most talked-about entertainment announcements of the year.
The World Cup 2026 Halftime Show Is a FIFA First
The Sunday, July 19 match at MetLife Stadium will mark the first time the FIFA World Cup final has ever featured a halftime show. FIFA president Gianni Infantino had hinted at the concept at a World Cup event in March 2025, calling it “a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world.”
The announcement arrived via a video curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. In it, Martin, who is curating the show, tells Sesame Street’s Elmo of the significance of the performance. Elmo suggests Madonna, Cookie Monster suggests BTS, and Animal makes his feelings known: “Animal want Shakira.”
“Madonna, Shakira and BTS are global icons whose music transcends borders and generations, and we are proud to welcome them to the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The Three Acts Taking the MetLife Stage
BTS, Madonna, and Shakira are three of the most recognized music acts of the past three decades, and all three sharing the same stage at once is a genuine milestone.
Shakira has longstanding ties to World Cup stages. She has recorded the official song for two other World Cups: 2010’s “Waka Waka” and 2014’s “La La La.” Her official 2026 World Cup song, “Dai Dai,” is a collaboration with Afrobeats star Burna Boy. Shakira also co-headlined the 2020 Super Bowl alongside Jennifer Lopez.
Madonna, meanwhile, is set to release her new album “Confessions II” on July 3, a follow-up to 2005’s “Confessions on a Dance Floor,” for which she won a Grammy. Madonna previously headlined the 2012 Super Bowl halftime show.
For BTS, the World Cup final is another milestone in a major comeback year. The K-pop supergroup returned to the stage in March following a hiatus due to mandatory South Korean military service, and is now on a world tour. BTS member Jungkook had previously performed at the opening ceremony of the FIFA 2022 World Cup.
The Cause Behind the Concert
The show also has a purpose that goes well past the spectacle. The world cup 2026 halftime show is produced by Global Citizen, in partnership with Live Nation and Done + Dusted, and will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a charitable initiative aiming to raise 100 million USD to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children worldwide.
FIFA confirmed that one dollar from every ticket sold to World Cup 2026 matches will be donated to the fund.
“Music is the universal language of hope and harmony, and we’re honored to celebrate that power at the World Cup by connecting with millions of viewers around the world in support of children’s education,” said BTS.
What to Expect on July 19
The world cup 2026 halftime show is reportedly scheduled for 11 minutes. The World Cup will take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico and kicks off on June 11. The expanded 48-team format makes it the biggest tournament in the competition’s history, and the first time the United States has hosted the World Cup since 1994.
Kick-off for the final is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET, with the halftime show expected to start close to 4 p.m. ET. The show is reportedly set to clock in at 11 minutes. Standard halftime breaks at international soccer finals are capped at 15 minutes, and FIFA has yet to confirm whether the break will be extended to accommodate the performance.
The world cup 2026 halftime show is set to be one of the most-watched live music performances of the year.. With BTS, Madonna, and Shakira sharing the same stage for the first time, July 19 at MetLife Stadium is a date that goes far past football, and no one wants to miss what happens at 4 p.m. ET.
Cover Image: Madonna, Shakira/Facebook, @netflix/Instagram
