FIFA has officially announced the first-ever halftime show in FIFA World Cup final history, with Madonna, Shakira, and BTS set to headline the performance during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium on July 19. The announcement was made through FIFA’s official Instagram account on May 13, with Gianni Infantino also highlighting the landmark moment for the tournament. The show is being curated by Chris Martin and will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
The halftime performance marks the first time FIFA has introduced a Super Bowl-style entertainment show during a World Cup final. The final itself is scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium, which will host the championship match of the expanded 48-team tournament.
FIFA confirmed that the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund aims to raise $100 million to improve access to education and football opportunities for children worldwide. The organization also stated that $1 from every ticket sold during the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be donated to the initiative. Martin announced the lineup in a social media video featuring BTS members on FaceTime alongside Elmo, Cookie Monster, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and Animal.
Madonna also released a statement following the announcement. “Performing at the FIFA World Cup final in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund is deeply meaningful to me. Without education, children are denied opportunity before they even have a chance. Every child deserves access to quality learning — because education expands possibilities and creates lasting change.”
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament begins on June 11 and will feature 48 national teams for the first time in World Cup history. Mexico is scheduled to face South Africa in the opening match.
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FIFA has also revealed performers for several opening ceremonies connected to the 2026 World Cup across the three host countries. Katy Perry is set to headline the United States opening ceremony at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on June 12. J Balvin will lead the opening ceremony celebrations in Mexico City. In Canada, Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette, and Alessia Cara are scheduled to co-headline festivities in Toronto.
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The halftime show announcement comes during a busy year for Madonna, who recently confirmed her upcoming album Confessions II, a sequel to her 2005 album Confessions on a Dancefloor. The project is scheduled for release on July 3. According to Variety, the 2022 FIFA World Cup final attracted more than 500 million live viewers worldwide, so an event of such calibre rightly deserves such a packed lineup.
