FIFA World Cup final is getting a halftime show, and the lineup is huge

The FIFA World Cup final is getting a major entertainment upgrade this summer, and the lineup is hard to ignore.

Madonna, Shakira and global K-pop sensation BTS are set to headline a Super Bowl-style halftime show during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey on July 19. The BBC reported that the performance is expected to run for 11 minutes, bringing together three of music’s biggest acts on football’s grandest stage. 

The announcement marks a rare crossover between football and pop culture on one of the world’s biggest sporting nights.

For Shakira, the World Cup stage is familiar territory. The singer became closely tied to football after releasing Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) for the 2010 tournament and is now preparing to unveil a new FIFA track, Dai Dai, featuring Nigerian star Burna Boy.

Meanwhile, Madonna is gearing up for the release of her upcoming album Confessions II, due in July. The Queen of Pop recently surprised festivalgoers with an appearance during Sabrina Carpenter’s Coachella set, performing hits including Vogue and Like A Prayer.

For BTS fans, the performance adds to the group’s highly anticipated comeback era. After completing mandatory military service, all seven members have reunited and are currently in the middle of an 85-date world tour.

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The halftime performance is expected to be curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and will help raise funds for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aimed at supporting children worldwide. 

The star-studded lineup is already generating buzz online, particularly given the unlikely pairing of Madonna, Shakira and BTS sharing one stage.

With football fans, pop audiences and the BTS fandom all expected to tune in, this year’s FIFA World Cup final could end up delivering one of the tournament’s biggest moments before the trophy is even lifted.