Madonna, Shakira, and K-pop supergroup BTS will co-headline the first-ever halftime show at the FIFA World Cup final on July 19, 2026, at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium. The announcement was made by FIFA, with Coldplay's Chris Martin curating the event. The show will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, aiming to improve access to quality education and football for children worldwide.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature 48 teams and 104 matches, marking the largest tournament in its history. The halftime show follows a successful test run during last year's Club World Cup, which included performances by Doja Cat, J Balvin, and Tems.
Madonna, 67, has won seven Grammy Awards and is set to release her 15th studio album, Confessions II, in July. Shakira, 49, recently released the official World Cup song Dai Dai with Burna Boy. BTS, the first K-pop group to receive a Grammy nomination, released their 10th studio album, Arirang, in March, which topped charts globally. The group is currently on a world tour spanning 85 dates in 23 countries.
The halftime show announcement coincided with a 7.2% surge in shares of Hybe, South Korea's largest K-pop agency and BTS's management company, adding over $470 million in market value. FIFA president Gianni Infantino described the event as a 'truly special moment' that will unite music, football, and global education initiatives.