First-Ever World Cup Halftime Show

The 2026 World Cup will feature its first-ever halftime show when it heads to the United States, Mexico, and Canada this summer. Madonna, Shakira, and BTS are set to headline the event, which will take place during the World Cup final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium. While analysts and bettors are eagerly monitoring the latest World Cup winner odds to predict which two nations will earn the right to play in that championship match, music lovers have their own massive spectacle to anticipate.

Coldplay’s Chris Martin will be organizing the spectacle, which will mark a significant moment in World Cup history. There has never been a halftime show before at the World Cup, but the 2024 Copa América and last year’s FIFA Club World Cup all held shows during their respective finals.

Who Are the World Cup Halftime Show Performers?

Madonna, Shakira, and K-pop band BTS will perform at the World Cup 2026 halftime show, as millions of soccer fans around the world enjoy a triumphant display to celebrate the culmination of the biggest match in the sport.

Produced by Global Citizen and curated by Chris Martin, the show will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million for education and football opportunities for children worldwide.

Having turned 67 last August, Madonna is still touring the world and announced her new studio album, Confessions II, earlier in April. It will be released on July 3. She is the best-selling female artist of all time and recently performed at Coachella alongside Sabrina Carpenter.

Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira, who also released the 2010 World Cup official song “Waka Waka” with South African pop band Freshlyground, has already released the official 2026 World Cup song titled “Dai Dai" in collaboration with Burna Boy.

K-pop boy band BTS is the biggest-selling musical artist in South Korea. They have recently returned from military service, with their latest album, "Arirang," released in March 2026.

How Long Will the World Cup Halftime Show Last?

The show will follow a Super Bowl-style format during the halftime break for this year’s final. It is estimated to last around 11 minutes, ensuring that it stays within the confines of the regular 15-minute break between soccer games.

Typically, Super Bowl halftime shows last between 12 and 15 minutes, with the total interval reaching 25 to 30 minutes. However, FIFA are planning to keep the World Cup halftime show much shorter to appease soccer fans, limiting the potential negative commercial impacts that a lengthier show could have.

The aim is to keep soccer’s identity intact, yet still provide an entertaining show filled with global celebrities that reach multiple borders and generations without creating isolation.

Why Will There Be a World Cup Halftime Show?

FIFA is looking to combine soccer, music, and social impacts for the halftime show, primarily aiming to raise money for charity and to support social projects worldwide.

The purpose is to support children and help provide them with access to education, symbolized by the inclusion of the Muppets from Sesame Street. 

Performers Madonna, Shakira, and BTS have all stated how meaningful the cause is, highlighting the importance of supporting children and their education and connecting millions of people around the world to come together for the cause.

Has There Been a Halftime Show Before?

There has never been a halftime show at the World Cup before, so the 2026 edition marks the first time that an event will occur at the midway point of the final. However, FIFA trialed a halftime show at last summer’s Club World Cup. 

The final, which was also played at New York New Jersey Stadium, saw Doja Cat, Tems, Coldplay, J Balvin, and Emmanuel Kelly all perform. The show lasted around 24 minutes and was produced by Global Citizen.

Shakira also headlined the 2024 Copa America final halftime show, which took place at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida. This extended the interval to around 25 minutes. While she received praise for her performance, there was criticism for the length of the show from Colombia head coach Néstor Lorenzo.

The halftime show is not the only unprecedented endeavor at the 2026 World Cup. The new World Cup format sees 48 teams compete in the tournament, making it the largest World Cup in history.