Fifa has announced that Shakira, Madonna and BTS will headline the first-ever half-time show at a men's World Cup final, scheduled for 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The show, curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin, mirrors the Super Bowl-style entertainment seen at other major events, but has drawn criticism from fans concerned about the length of the break.
The half-time performance will support Fifa's Global Citizen Education Fund, aiming to raise $100 million for children worldwide. Fifa president Gianni Infantino confirmed the plans on Instagram, calling it 'a historic moment for the Fifa World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world.'
Shakira, who has a long history with the tournament, recently teased the new official World Cup song 'Dai Dai' in a video filmed at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium. The track, produced with Nigerian artist Burna Boy, is set for official release on Thursday. The singer previously performed at the 2006 and 2014 World Cup finals and created the 2010 anthem 'Waka Waka.'
The 2026 World Cup, expanded to 48 teams, kicks off on 11 June across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The half-time show follows a similar format to the 2024 Copa America final, where Shakira also performed, and last year's Club World Cup final, which saw the break extended beyond the usual 15 minutes.
Infantino also revealed plans for Fifa to 'take over' New York's Times Square during the final weekend. However, the announcement has sparked backlash from fans who argue that the extended half-time disrupts the flow of the match and prioritises entertainment over the sport itself.
