Global superstars Madonna, Shakira, and South Korean boy band BTS are set to headline the inaugural World Cup final half-time show, raising concerns that the customary 15-minute interval could be extended. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who curated the landmark performance, revealed the line-up via a social media video featuring characters from Sesame Street and the Muppets. The event is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
FIFA President Announces Plans
FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who announced plans for the half-time show last March, also shared details on Instagram. This unprecedented spectacle could see the final's half-time interval extend beyond the customary 15 minutes. The show will be staged in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative working to raise 100 million US dollars to expand access to education and football for children around the world.
Half-Time Entertainment Tradition
Half-time entertainment has become a major feature of sporting events in the United States, notably during the Super Bowl. Madonna headlined the Super Bowl half-time show in 2012, while Shakira shared the stage with Jennifer Lopez at the event in 2020. Last summer, FIFA staged a half-time show at the MetLife Stadium during the Club World Cup final, when Chelsea beat Paris St Germain 3-0.
Visa Requirements for World Cup Fans
This week it was confirmed that the Trump administration will not require fans from certain countries with tickets to the World Cup to pay expensive bonds to enter the United States, the Associated Press reported on Wednesday, citing the U.S. State Department. The administration last year began requiring visitors from some countries to pay bonds of up to $15,000 to obtain tourist visas to the U.S., saying the steep deposit was needed to prevent visa overstays. Fifty countries are currently subject to the bond requirement, which was expanded this year. The U.S. State Department and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The biggest World Cup, featuring 48 teams, kicks off on June 11 and is being hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
