Global music stars Madonna, Shakira and BTS will headline the first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show at a FIFA World Cup final, marking a major entertainment shift for football’s biggest event.
The performance is set to take place during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey, where the tournament will conclude after being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
According to BBC Sport, the halftime performance is expected to last around 11 minutes, although reports suggest it could stretch close to FIFA’s maximum permitted halftime duration of 15 minutes.
The initiative represents the first time a FIFA World Cup final will feature a large-scale, structured halftime entertainment show similar to the format used during the Super Bowl.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the development as a landmark moment for global football.
“It will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup, befitting the biggest sporting event in the world,” Infantino said.
Shakira, who performed the iconic World Cup anthem Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) during the 2010 tournament in South Africa, is also expected to release a new official tournament song titled Dai Dai, featuring Nigerian Grammy-winning singer Burna Boy.
Madonna, widely recognised as one of the world’s best-selling female music artists, is reportedly preparing to release her 15th studio album, while BTS continues its global comeback following a break for South Korea’s mandatory military service.
The halftime show will be curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay and will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a project aiming to raise $100m for children’s education worldwide.
Organisers say the move reflects FIFA’s growing effort to blend sport with global entertainment, turning the World Cup final into a broader cultural spectacle beyond football.
