Global superstars Madonna, Shakira, and South Korean boy band BTS have been confirmed to headline the inaugural World Cup final half-time show, scheduled for Sunday, July 19, at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin curated the landmark performance, which has led to concerns that the customary 15-minute half-time interval could be extended due to the unprecedented scale of the show.
Supporting Global Education
The spectacle is being staged in support of the Fifa Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aiming to raise $100 million to expand access to education and football for children worldwide. The fund seeks to provide opportunities for underprivileged youth through sport and learning.
Policy Changes for Visitors
The Trump administration has confirmed that fans from certain countries with World Cup tickets will not be required to pay expensive bonds to enter the United States. This reverses a policy that previously demanded deposits of up to $15,000 from visitors to prevent visa overstays, easing travel for international attendees.
The upcoming World Cup, the largest ever with 48 teams, is set to commence on June 11 and will be jointly hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The half-time show marks a historic first for the tournament, blending entertainment with a charitable cause.
