Madonna, Shakira, and K-pop sensation BTS will perform together in the first-ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]. The 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will expand to 48 teams and feature 104 matches, up from 64 in previous tournaments [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 7, 8, 9].

Coldplay singer Chris Martin is curating the half-time show, which FIFA president Gianni Infantino called "a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world" [1, 3]. Infantino also said the performance will unite music and football while supporting children’s education globally [3]. The show will raise funds for FIFA’s Global Citizen Education Fund, targeting $100 million to improve education worldwide [2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11].

Shakira will perform the official 2026 World Cup song "Dai Dai," produced with Nigerian artist Burna Boy. The track was officially released on May 14, 2026, and was filmed at Brazil’s Maracana Stadium [2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11]. Madonna is set to release her 15th album "Confessions II" on July 3, shortly before the final [2]. BTS, returning after mandatory military service, are currently on an 85-date world tour and are South Korea’s best-selling act with more than 45 million albums sold [2, 10]. BTS’s agency expressed honor to perform on such a global stage, emphasizing music’s role in conveying hope and harmony [11].

Previous football events such as the 2024 Copa America final and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final included half-time shows, with Shakira performing at Copa America [1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9]. FIFA has plans to take over New York’s Times Square during the final weekend for the tournament festivities [1, 4, 5, 7, 8].

Concerns have been raised that the half-time show could extend the break well beyond the typical 15 minutes allowed by football rules, though BTS’s agency stated the show will last about 11 minutes, under the regulation limit [5, 7, 8, 9, 11].

Scientists warn that about one-quarter of the matches (26 out of 104) could be played under very hot conditions, though 17 of those matches will be in stadiums with cooling systems [12].

The World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026, with the final and half-time show scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium.