FIFA confirms halftime show for 2026 World Cup final with BTS, Madonna and Shakira
FIFA has announced a first-ever halftime concert for the 2026 World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium featuring BTS, Madonna and Shakira, with proceeds to a FIFA education
What FIFA announced
FIFA has confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup final will feature a halftime show on July 19, with performances by BTS, Madonna and Shakira. The announcement, posted on FIFA's official social channels and reported by World Soccer Talk, says the final halftime show will be curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin and take place at the New York/New Jersey stadium hosting the final.
Why it matters
Halftime concerts are a notable departure from traditional international football practice. FIFA's decision to stage a 30-minute halftime show in the final — doubling the standard 15-minute interval — represents an adaptation of match operations to accommodate a large-scale live production and aligns with entertainment approaches seen at major U.S. sporting events.
How the halftime show will work
According to the report, the usual 15-minute halftime will be extended to 30 minutes to allow time for the stage to be built, for the performances, and for the structure to be removed before play resumes. FIFA described the event as "the world's biggest stage" and said the halftime show is a World Cup first.
Charitable component and tournament details
FIFA says the halftime show will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. The announcement, as reported, states the Fund aims to raise $100 million to expand access to education and football for children worldwide. FIFA has said that USD 1 from every ticket sold to World Cup 2026 matches will be donated to the Fund.
World Soccer Talk's report also restated tournament context: the 2026 World Cup opens on June 11 with Mexico facing South Africa at Estadio Azteca, and the tournament culminates in the July 19 final where the halftime show will take place.
Precedent and U.S. influence
The idea of halftime entertainment at major soccer events has precedent in recent competitions held in the United States. The 2024 Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium featured a halftime performance by Shakira, and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium included halftime acts such as J Balvin, Doja Cat and Tems, according to the source's context.
- Halftime performers for the 2026 final: BTS, Madonna, Shakira (reported by World Soccer Talk citing FIFA social posts).
- Curator: Chris Martin of Coldplay (reported by FIFA).
- Final date: July 19, 2026 (tournament schedule as reported).
- Halftime extended to 30 minutes to accommodate stage build, performance and teardown.
- Charitable element: supports FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund; USD 1 from every tournament ticket to be donated.
Questions that remain
The source is a single report referencing FIFA's social media posts. Verification is still advisable for precise operational and production details: the exact stadium naming (source refers to "New York New Jersey Stadium"), final running order or length of each artist's set, whether there will be additional performers or guest appearances, any changes to match-day logistics for fans in the stadium, and final wording around the charitable donations. Official FIFA press materials should be consulted for confirmation.
What happens next
FIFA and event partners are likely to publish additional details about stage production, timings and broadcast arrangements as the tournament approaches. Fans, broadcasters and teams will need final confirmation on the extended halftime protocol and any operational changes for the final matchday.