Shakira, Madonna, and K-pop sensation BTS lead the lineup for the inaugural Super Bowl-style halftime show at the 2026 World Cup final. The event takes place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, FIFA announces.
Event Details and Curator
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin curates the performance, marking the first halftime extravaganza at a FIFA World Cup final. This innovation sparks discussions on extending the traditional 15-minute break. The expanded 48-team tournament launches on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino first revealed plans for this halftime show in March 2025. “This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world,” Infantino stated on Instagram.
Inspiration from Recent Events
The format echoes Shakira’s halftime performance during the 2024 Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. A similar extended show occurred at last year’s FIFA Club World Cup final, also at MetLife Stadium.
FIFA plans additional spectacles, including a takeover of New York’s Times Square during the tournament’s final weekend. Proceeds from the halftime show benefit the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, aiming to raise $100 million for children worldwide.
Shakira’s World Cup Anthem Tease
Shakira recently previewed the official 2026 World Cup song, “Dai Dai,” in a 67-second video shot at Brazil’s Maracana Stadium. The Colombian star, holding the tournament’s official match ball Trionda, performs snippets in English alongside dancers in colors representing teams like the US and Colombia.
Produced with Nigerian artist Burna Boy, the track releases officially on Thursday. The video, shared widely online, concludes with the message: “We’re ready!”
Shakira boasts a storied World Cup legacy, having performed at the 2006 and 2014 finals and created the 2010 anthem “Waka Waka.” She also delivered a free concert on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach for 2 million fans.
