Colombian singer Shakira, Madonna, and K-pop megastars BTS will headline a Super Bowl-style half-time show at the World Cup final on 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Fifa announced on Thursday.
First-Ever Half-Time Show at a World Cup Final
This marks the first time a football World Cup final will feature a half-time entertainment show, mirroring the format of the Super Bowl. Coldplay's Chris Martin is curating the event, which has raised questions about how long the half-time interval will last.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino first revealed plans for the show in March last year, stating: "This will be a historic moment for the Fifa World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world."
Global Stars and a Charitable Cause
The half-time extravaganza will support Fifa's Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aiming to raise $100 million for children worldwide during the World Cup. Infantino also revealed that Fifa plans to "take over" New York's Times Square on the final weekend of the tournament.
Shakira, who previously performed at the 2006 and 2014 World Cup finals and created the iconic 2010 anthem "Waka Waka," recently teased the new official tournament song titled "Dai Dai." The track, produced with Nigerian artist Burna Boy, is set for official release on Thursday. In a 67-second video filmed at Brazil's Maracana Stadium, Shakira performed excerpts of the song in English, joined by dancers in team colours.
Concerns Over Half-Time Duration
The move follows a half-time show during the 2024 Copa America final in Miami, where Shakira performed at Hard Rock Stadium. A similar show at last year's Fifa Club World Cup final, also at MetLife Stadium, extended the break beyond the regulation 15 minutes.
The 2026 World Cup, the largest ever with 48 teams, kicks off on 11 June across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
