FIFA has revealed that the 2026 World Cup Final will feature the tournament’s first-ever major halftime show, staged in the style of a Super Bowl halftime performance. The event is set for July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium and was announced by the official FIFA World Cup account on X.
The headline performers are pop icon Madonna, Colombian star Shakira and K‑pop phenomenon BTS. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin will curate the overall vision, concept and flow of the production, which is produced in partnership with Global Citizen.
FIFA said the halftime show will pair “the world’s biggest stage” with “an even bigger purpose.” As part of that commitment, USD 1 from every ticket sold during the tournament will be donated to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a new initiative aiming to raise USD 100 million to expand access to quality education and football for children worldwide.
News of the lineup prompted strong reactions on social media, where fans called it a “once‑in‑a‑lifetime” collaboration and praised Madonna’s long career and ability to create landmark live moments. Many also expressed excitement at the prospect of BTS performing alongside two long-established global pop stars.
FIFA said the halftime show will be a first for the World Cup and stressed its dual goals of delivering a memorable entertainment moment for the final while supporting international education and football programs through the new fund.
