Music
14 May 26

Madonna, Shakira and BTS to headline World Cup final half-time show

It will be the first half-time show in the World Cup's history

Madonna, Shakira and BTS are set to co-host the half-time show of the 2026 World Cup final, which is set to take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The exact length of the show is unknown, although it is speculated to be around 15 minutes. The show will be curated by Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay.

Gianni Infantino announced last March that it is supposed to be modelled after the Super Bowl half-time show, as it will be the first-ever World Cup half-time show. The FIFA president also said in an Instagram post that “the world will come together not only to celebrate football, but also to stand united for the future of children everywhere.”

The tournament is taking place in North America this year, with Canada, the U.S. and Mexico co-hosting the tournament. It will be the biggest World Cup to date, with 48 teams competing. The last World Cup in 2022 was hosted by Qatar.

Shakira released her latest studio album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, in 2024 and will release her official World Cup song, ‘Dai Dai’, this week. Madonna is also preparing to release new material, with her fifteenth studio album Confessions II scheduled for July 3. BTS have also just begun their new world tour following their return from hiatus after completing their mandatory military service.