Get ready for a historic moment in soccer: the FIFA World Cup final is getting its first-ever halftime show, and it's going to be epic. On July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, pop icons Shakira, Madonna, and BTS will take the stage in a performance that organizers are calling a "singular moment" broadcast live to fans around the world.
This is a game-changer for global soccer, where halftime shows are not the norm—unlike the Super Bowl, which has turned its halftime performance into a cultural event. But the World Cup is stepping up its game, and the lineup reflects the tournament's massive international reach. Colombian superstar Shakira, who has a history with the event (remember "Waka Waka" from 2010?), is set to release the official World Cup song "Dai Dai" featuring Burna Boy on the same day. Pop legend Madonna, fresh off a Coachella appearance with Sabrina Carpenter, will drop her album "Confessions on a Dance Floor II" on July 3. And K-pop sensations BTS, back on stage after a nearly four-year hiatus for military service, will bring their global fanbase to the pitch.
The show is curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who announced the lineup in a playful video featuring the Muppets—Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Miss Piggy. In the clip, Elmo suggests Madonna, calls BTS on speed dial, and confirms Shakira is in, "and she's bringing cookies." It's a lighthearted reveal for what promises to be a massive production.
The 2026 World Cup, hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, will feature 48 countries competing in cities like Atlanta, Boston, Miami, Houston, Seattle, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Toronto, and Vancouver. The final kicks off at 3 p.m. on July 19, and while organizers haven't revealed the show's duration, this star-studded lineup suggests it might stretch beyond the typical 15-minute halftime window. For fans of both soccer and music, this is a moment you won't want to miss—and a perfect reason to gear up in your favorite World Cup apparel.