FIFA brings 'musical intermission' to 2026 World Cup final

Shakira, BTS and Madonna set for global halftime extravaganza

In a historic move for international sports, FIFA has officially announced that the 2026 World Cup final will feature its first-ever halftime show, headlined by a powerhouse lineup including Shakira, Madonna, and K-pop titans BTS.

The announcement, made via Instagram on Thursday, confirms that the trio will take the stage on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The event is poised to be one of the most-watched musical performances in history, given the tournament's massive global reach.

According to a report by CNN, the 2026 World Cup—co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—will begin on June 11 in Mexico City before concluding in the New York-New Jersey area.

The inaugural halftime production is being curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and produced by the non-profit organisation Global Citizen. Beyond the spectacle, the performance serves a humanitarian purpose: it will benefit the newly established FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.

FIFA described the fund as a "landmark initiative" aiming to raise $100 million to improve access to quality education and soccer programmes for children worldwide. To support this goal, FIFA has committed to donating $1 from every ticket sold throughout the 2026 tournament to the fund.

The social media rollout for the announcement featured a playful video with Martin, characters from 'Sesame Street' and 'The Muppets', and a special cameo from BTS members, signalling a family-friendly yet high-energy atmosphere for the show.

The introduction of a halftime show marks a significant departure from standard soccer protocols.

Under current International Football Association Board (IFAB) rules, halftime intervals are limited to 15 minutes. It remains to be seen if FIFA will seek a formal rule adjustment to accommodate a larger-scale production, similar to the extended halftime breaks seen during the Super Bowl.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino had previously teased the possibility of a "historic moment" for the final back in March 2025, promising a show that would be "befitting the biggest sporting event in the world."

The star-studded final follows last week's news that the opening ceremony in Mexico City will be headlined by J Balvin, alongside a diverse roster of talent including Tyla, Mana, and Alejandro Fernandez.

Meanwhile, Shakira and Afrobeats icon Burna Boy released 'Dai Dai', the official song for the 2026 FIFA World Cup shortly after the announcement. It's a mesh of Afrobeats and Latin rhythms, an undeniably global, multilingual pop track.