BTS, Madonna and Shakira to headline first FIFA World Cup final halftime show
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is set to make history with its first-ever halftime show featuring global superstars BTS, Madonna, and Shakira. The event is to take place on July 19.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is set to make entertainment history with its first-ever halftime show, and FIFA has confirmed a headline lineup featuring BTS, Madonna and Shakira.
The performance will take place during the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, as FIFA expands the tournament’s entertainment format with a Super Bowl-style musical showcase. The halftime show is being produced in partnership with Global Citizen and has been co-curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin.
The announcement brings together three acts with massive international reach across generations and markets. Madonna, one of pop music’s most influential performers, will share the stage with Shakira, whose association with football culture has remained strong through global hits such as Waka Waka and La La La.
For BTS, the appearance marks another major milestone in the group’s global expansion beyond music charts and stadium tours. The group’s connection with FIFA previously drew worldwide attention when member Jungkook performed Dreamers at the opening ceremony of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
BTS expressed their thoughts on the upcoming performance in a statement. They said, "It is a great honour to stand on such a meaningful stage where the whole world comes together. We believe music is a universal language that conveys hope and unity. Being able to share that message with global viewers through this World Cup, and contributing to the expansion of educational opportunities for children, makes this even more significant."
The halftime performance also arrives during a major chapter for BTS, following the group’s reunion after completing military service commitments in South Korea. The group has already resumed its large-scale music and touring activities this year, making the FIFA stage one of its biggest international appearances since reconvening.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, is expected to be one of the tournament’s largest editions yet, both commercially and culturally. The introduction of a halftime show signals FIFA’s increasing focus on positioning the World Cup final not only as a sporting event, but also as a global entertainment spectacle.
The final will be held at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is set to make entertainment history with its first-ever halftime show, and FIFA has confirmed a headline lineup featuring BTS, Madonna and Shakira.
The performance will take place during the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, as FIFA expands the tournament’s entertainment format with a Super Bowl-style musical showcase. The halftime show is being produced in partnership with Global Citizen and has been co-curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin.
The announcement brings together three acts with massive international reach across generations and markets. Madonna, one of pop music’s most influential performers, will share the stage with Shakira, whose association with football culture has remained strong through global hits such as Waka Waka and La La La.
For BTS, the appearance marks another major milestone in the group’s global expansion beyond music charts and stadium tours. The group’s connection with FIFA previously drew worldwide attention when member Jungkook performed Dreamers at the opening ceremony of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
BTS expressed their thoughts on the upcoming performance in a statement. They said, "It is a great honour to stand on such a meaningful stage where the whole world comes together. We believe music is a universal language that conveys hope and unity. Being able to share that message with global viewers through this World Cup, and contributing to the expansion of educational opportunities for children, makes this even more significant."
The halftime performance also arrives during a major chapter for BTS, following the group’s reunion after completing military service commitments in South Korea. The group has already resumed its large-scale music and touring activities this year, making the FIFA stage one of its biggest international appearances since reconvening.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, is expected to be one of the tournament’s largest editions yet, both commercially and culturally. The introduction of a halftime show signals FIFA’s increasing focus on positioning the World Cup final not only as a sporting event, but also as a global entertainment spectacle.
The final will be held at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026.
