FIFA has confirmed plans for the first halftime show in the history of the FIFA World Cup final, with global music stars Shakira, Madonna and BTS set to perform during the 2026 final.
The governing body revealed details of the entertainment programme through a video shared on Instagram, confirming that the final on 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium will include a halftime performance for the first time in World Cup history.
The 2026 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by United States, Mexico and Canada, is already expected to be the largest World Cup ever staged, featuring 48 teams for the first time.
The competition will run from 11 June to 19 July.
FIFA introduces new entertainment format
While World Cup finals have traditionally included opening ceremonies and pre-match performances, FIFA has never before organised a halftime show during the tournament’s deciding match.
The move represents a significant change to the format of football’s biggest event and mirrors entertainment models commonly associated with other major sporting events.
According to FIFA, the performances by Shakira, Madonna and BTS will take place during the interval of the final itself, transforming halftime into a large-scale entertainment production.
The announcement immediately generated global attention due to the international popularity of the artists involved.
Shakira, who has long been associated with football tournaments through her music performances, recently unveiled her official song for the 2026 World Cup titled “Day Day”, which translates into Arabic as “Let’s go”.
The Colombian singer previously became closely linked with football audiences through earlier World Cup performances, and her return is expected to attract widespread interest ahead of the tournament.
Longer halftime expected during final
British outlet The Athletic reported that FIFA is preparing to use the pitch area at MetLife Stadium as part of the halftime production.
The report suggested the scale of the show could result in a much longer interval than the traditional 15-minute halftime period normally used in football matches.
Although FIFA has not publicly confirmed the exact duration of the break, the plans indicate that organisers are preparing for a large and highly choreographed event requiring additional setup time.
The decision is likely to spark debate among football supporters, particularly traditional fans accustomed to the standard structure of World Cup finals.
However, FIFA appears determined to expand the entertainment aspect of the competition as it prepares for what is expected to be one of the most commercially significant tournaments in football history.
Tournament expected to break new ground
The 2026 edition of the World Cup will already introduce several major changes to the tournament format.
For the first time, 48 national teams will compete instead of the previous 32-team structure, increasing the number of matches and expanding participation across global football.
The tournament will also be the first World Cup jointly hosted by three countries.
MetLife Stadium, the venue selected for the final, is expected to become the centrepiece of the competition’s closing ceremony and entertainment programme.
By introducing a halftime show featuring internationally recognised performers, FIFA appears to be positioning the World Cup final as both a sporting spectacle and a global entertainment event.
The inclusion of artists from Latin America, North America and Asia also reflects FIFA’s effort to appeal to a broad international audience as football prepares for one of the biggest tournaments in its history.
