The event will be directed by Chris Martin, from Coldplay, and is inspired by the Super Bowl, the American football final
FIFA announced, this Thursday (14), that the 2026 World Cup final will have a historic halftime show, bringing together three of the biggest names in world music. On July 19, MetLife Stadium — located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in the New York metropolitan region — will host the American singer MadonnaColombian Shakira ea South Korean boy band BTS.
Directed by Chris Martin, from Coldplay, the show at MetLife Stadium is inspired by the Super Bowl and plans to raise US$100 million for social projects
The initiative marks a clear inspiration in American tradition of the Super Bowl (the American football grand final, held in February), with the promise of attracting hundreds of millions of viewers.
On its social networks, FIFA celebrated the news, citing the unprecedented nature of the show, which will be directed and organized by Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay: “The biggest stage in the world. For an even bigger goal. On July 19, a halftime show of the World Cup final will take place with superstars Madonna, Shakira and BTS, led by Chris Martin.”
In addition to providing global entertainment, the mini-concert has a strong philanthropic appeal: the expectation is to raise US$100 million to expand access to football and education for children around the planet.
Event details
The idea had been in the works since March by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. At the time, the Italian-Swiss leader — who is a close ally of US President Donald Trump — promised an “unprecedented show”, but did not reveal who would perform or whether the event would exceed the traditional 15-minute halftime period of a football match.
As part of the major activations of the final stretch, Infantino also announced that the Federation will “take possession” of the iconic Times Square, in New York, on the tournament’s closing weekend.
Football’s governing body had already tested this format last year, by organizing a half-time show at the Club World Cup final, at the MetLife Stadium itself, where Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini performed the official anthem of that competition.
Hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the 2026 World Cup will be the biggest edition in history. The tournament will take place between June 11th and July 19th, with 48 teams for the first time.
Global legends on stage
The choice of artists brings an intergenerational and multicultural weight to the conclusion of the competition
Shakira: With a 30-year career and more than 90 million records sold, the 49-year-old singer is a veteran of football events.
Immortalized in the 2010 World Cup (South Africa) with the hit “Waka Waka”, she was also the halftime star of the 2024 Copa América final, in Miami. On May 2, after singing for two million spectators at a free megashow on Copacabana beach, in Rio de Janeiro, the Colombian announced that she will give voice to the official anthem of the 2026 World Cup, entitled “Dai Dai”.
In addition to the World Cup, the singer ends her current tour in September, in Madrid, marking her first show in the Spanish capital since 2018 — four years after the official announcement of her separation from former player Gerard Piqué.
BTS: K-pop’s biggest global phenomenon made a triumphant return to the stage in March after a four-year break due to mandatory military service in South Korea.
The seven members have been drawing crowds to grandiose performances (including a huge show in Seoul in April), driven by the success of their latest studio album, “ARIRANG”.
Madonna: To crown the spectacle, the event will bring the weight of the “Queen of Pop”. At 67 years old and acting as an undisputed icon of music, dance and fashion for four decades, the singer recently proved her power of mobilization by performing in front of 1.6 million fans in Rio de Janeiro, in 2024.
