AceShowbiz - The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature a groundbreaking halftime show headlined by some of the world's biggest music icons. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) confirmed on Wednesday, May 13, that Madonna, BTS, and Shakira will perform during the final’s halftime segment for the first time in World Cup history.

The 2026 World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, and will take place at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. This marks a historic moment as it will be the first ever halftime show at a FIFA World Cup final, a major expansion of the event’s entertainment offerings.

FIFA revealed in an Instagram post that this halftime show is not only a celebration of music and sport but also a philanthropic effort. The performance will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aiming to raise $100 million USD. The Fund focuses on improving access to quality education and football opportunities for children worldwide. To contribute, FIFA is donating $1 USD from every ticket sold during the 2026 World Cup matches to this cause.

The halftime show has been curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who announced the lineup in a creative Instagram video. The clip featured Martin alongside beloved characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets, including Elmo, Cookie Monster, Kermit the Frog, and Miss Piggy, adding a playful and family-friendly touch to the announcement.

Shakira has a special connection to the 2026 tournament beyond her halftime show role. She and Nigerian singer Burna Boy recently released the official World Cup song, "Dai Dai," which was unveiled just last week. This continues Shakira’s ongoing involvement with the World Cup, as she previously performed "Waka Waka," the official anthem for the 2010 World Cup.

Though this will be the inaugural halftime show for the FIFA World Cup, both Madonna and Shakira have prior experience with large-scale halftime events, having both headlined the Super Bowl halftime show. Madonna performed at Super Bowl XLVI in 2012, while Shakira co-headlined the Super Bowl LIV halftime show in 2020 alongside Jennifer Lopez.

The Super Bowl halftime show has long been a coveted platform for artists to showcase their talents to a massive global audience. As the 2026 Super Bowl approaches with Bad Bunny set to perform, the football and music worlds eagerly anticipate the World Cup’s debut halftime event, which promises to be equally spectacular.

Jennifer Lopez, who co-headlined the 2020 Super Bowl halftime with Shakira, has publicly criticized the NFL’s decision to feature two co-headliners during that event. Lopez expressed her view in her 2022 documentary Halftime, stating the challenges of dividing the limited performance time and emphasizing the importance of delivering a strong vocal message rather than simply a dance-focused show. Lopez’s longtime manager, Benny Medina, also described the dual headliner setup as an "insult," suggesting traditionally a single artist leads the halftime show.

The World Cup halftime show marks a new chapter for FIFA, blending global soccer passion with top-tier entertainment. Fans can expect a high-energy spectacle combining the talents of Madonna, BTS, and Shakira, curated by Chris Martin and supported by beloved cultural icons from children’s entertainment.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament officially kicks off on Thursday, June 11, setting the stage for weeks of thrilling soccer action culminating in the July 19 final. The halftime show will add a fresh cultural dimension to the event, creating a unique celebration of sport, music, and global community.