Three of the world’s biggest music acts will share the stage at this summer’s FIFA World Cup final, in what promises to be the most ambitious half-time show in football history.
Madonna, Shakira, and South Korean supergroup BTS will co-headline an 11-minute performance at the final in New Jersey on 19 July, the BBC has confirmed. The tournament runs across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the first World Cup with three co-hosts.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino called the show “a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup, befitting the biggest sporting event in the world.” Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has curated the performance, which will raise funds for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative targeting $100 million for children’s education worldwide.
Three Icons, One Stage
Colombian pop star Shakira brings strong World Cup credentials to the event, as the 49-year-old singer recorded Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) for the 2010 tournament in South Africa, and she releases her official 2026 anthem, Dai Dai, an Italian phrase meaning “let’s go”, on Thursday, featuring Nigerian artist Burna Boy.
@shakira From Maracaná Stadium, here is “Dai Dai,” the @FIFA World Cup Official Song 2026. Coming 5/14. We’re ready! ⚽️🐺 @Burna Boy
Madonna, widely recognised as the best-selling female music artist of all time, adds further star power. The 67-year-old Queen of Pop recently made a surprise appearance at Coachella during Sabrina Carpenter’s headline set, joining her for a duet of Vogue and Like A Prayer. She also plans to release her 15th studio album, Confessions II, on 3 July, just weeks before the final.
BTS, meanwhile, hold the title of South Korea’s best-selling music act ever, with more than 45 million albums sold. The seven-member group, also known for their 2021 UK top-three collaboration My Universe with Coldplay, are currently mounting a comeback following a three-year hiatus during mandatory military service. They will perform at the final in the middle of an 85-date world tour.
Notably, this marks the first half-time show in World Cup final history. Pre-match performances have featured at showpiece events such as the Champions League final, but football has never seen anything like this at its biggest game. For context, the half-time show at last summer’s Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Paris St-Germain ran for more than 24 minutes, well beyond the 15-minute maximum the laws of the game permit.
