Rusty Weiss
FIFA announced on Thursday that pop icon Madonna, Latin superstar Shakira, and K-pop giants BTS will co-headline the first-ever halftime show at a World Cup final.
That is certainly a blend of young and more seasoned talent. Madonna, being very, very seasoned. But I digress.
The historic performance is scheduled for July 19th at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey during the championship match of the 2026 tournament. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin will curate the extravaganza.
Let’s hope, for everyone involved, that the Coldplay cam doesn’t make another appearance. We all know how that worked out last time.
The world's biggest stage. An even bigger purpose. On July 19, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final Halftime Show is coming to New York New Jersey Stadium, featuring superstars @Madonna , @shakira , and @bts_bighit , curated by @coldplay ‘s Chris Martin!
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) May 14, 2026
A FIFA World Cup first, the… pic.twitter.com/OblQmXTW1M
Madonna, Shakira & BTS: A Generational Clash at Soccer’s Biggest Stage
The show marks a major evolution for the World Cup, bringing a Super Bowl-style spectacle to soccer’s biggest stage for the first time. Organizers say the performance will blend Latin, pop, and global sounds to reflect the tournament’s worldwide audience, which exceeded 500 million viewers for the previous final.
It also seems to be slightly less political in nature, though one has to wonder how the President, who was awarded the inaugural “FIFA Peace Prize,” feels about Madonna’s inclusion, considering her past comments about “blowing up the White House.”
We’re guessing he won’t be all too thrilled. FIFA, however, is even bragging about its opening ceremony, which will also feature major music acts like Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema, and Tyla.
“This opening ceremony in Los Angeles represents the extraordinary scale of what the FIFA World Cup 2026 will become,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.
“The lineup of artists reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and the vibrancy of its many diasporas, highlighting the nation’s rich influence on music, entertainment and pop culture, while showcasing the power of music to bring people together across the country.”
The halftime show will also serve a charitable purpose, raising funds for the new FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund to improve access to quality education and football for children around the globe.
President Trump has expressed strong enthusiasm for hosting the World Cup in America, calling it a massive opportunity to showcase the country on the global stage.
“I think it’s probably certainly one of the biggest, and maybe the biggest sporting event in the world,” he has previously said. “It’s very exciting. Everybody is talking about it, and it’s very exciting.”
Details on the songs to be performed and the format remain under wraps, but soccer fans are already chomping at the bit for what could be one of the most-watched musical performances in the sport’s history. The excitement can be seen across social media.
Will it eclipse the interest and viewership of Bad Bunny at the latest Super Bowl? Probably not. Soccer, though it dominates the world stage, does not have nearly the following here in the United States as football.
