Global superstars Madonna and Shakira, alongside South Korean boy band BTS, have been announced as the headliners for the first-ever World Cup final half-time show. The landmark performance, scheduled for Sunday, July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, has been curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who revealed the line-up via a social media video featuring characters from Sesame Street and the Muppets.
FIFA President Confirms Plans
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who also shared details of the event in an Instagram post, initially announced plans for the show in March last year. The half-time interval during the final could potentially extend beyond the customary 15 minutes to accommodate the performances.
Supporting Global Education
The show will be staged in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aiming to raise 100 million US dollars to expand access to education and football for children worldwide. Half-time entertainment has become a major feature of sporting events in the United States, particularly during the Super Bowl.
Madonna previously 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, where Chelsea defeated Paris St Germain 3-0.
The biggest World Cup in history, featuring 48 teams, kicks off on June 11 and is being hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
