Shakira, Madonna, and BTS will headline the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final halftime show. FIFA confirmed the lineup on May 14, 2026.
The show takes place on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The final kicks off at 3:00 PM ET, with halftime expected around 3:50 PM ET. Coldplay’s Chris Martin is curating the production. Global Citizen is producing.
Here is everything you need to know about the world cup 2026 halftime show.
Who is Headlining the World Cup 2026 Halftime Show?
Shakira, Madonna, and BTS are the three confirmed headliners. They are the first three artists ever booked for a FIFA World Cup Final halftime show.
| Artist | From | Why They Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Shakira | Colombia | Performed Waka Waka (2010 World Cup anthem), 2024 Copa America halftime, released Dai Dai as the 2026 official song |
| Madonna | USA | Headlined Super Bowl XLVI halftime in 2012, one of the best-selling artists of all time |
| BTS | South Korea | First K-pop act ever to headline a FIFA World Cup Final halftime show, returned from military hiatus with ARIRANG album in March 2026 |
FIFA announced the lineup through an Instagram video. Chris Martin appeared alongside Elmo, Cookie Monster, Kermit the Frog, and Miss Piggy. BTS joined the video via FaceTime.
The Muppets and Sesame Street characters will play a role in the live show. FIFA has not yet released the setlist or guest list.
Also Read: Dai Dai by Shakira and Burna Boy: The Official 2026 World Cup Song
When and Where Is the World Cup 2026 Halftime Show?
The halftime show takes place during the World Cup Final on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium.
- Date: Sunday, July 19, 2026
- Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- FIFA tournament name: New York New Jersey Stadium
- Stadium capacity: 82,500
- Final kickoff: 3:00 PM ET (8:00 PM UK, 9:00 PM CEST)
- Halftime show start: About 3:50 PM ET
- Reported show length: Approximately 11 minutes (Billboard, BBC)
FIFA confirmed the 3:00 PM ET kickoff in December 2025. The time was chosen to allow prime-time viewing across Europe. Billboard and the BBC report the show will run about 11 minutes. FIFA has not officially confirmed the duration.
Who is Producing the World Cup Halftime Show?
Chris Martin of Coldplay is curating the show. Phil Harvey, Coldplay’s longtime manager, is co-curating. The non-profit Global Citizen is the official producer.
This is the second time Martin and Global Citizen have produced a FIFA halftime show. They led the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Final halftime show at the same stadium. That production featured J Balvin, Doja Cat, and Tems as announced headliners. Coldplay made a surprise appearance with Australian singer Emmanuel Kelly, the first differently-abled artist to perform in a FIFA halftime show.
The 2025 show ran 15 minutes. The stage was built high in the upper stands instead of on the pitch. This design preserved the newly installed grass and avoided extending the halftime break. Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans confirmed the approach in post-event interviews. The 2026 production is expected to follow a similar engineering model with a bigger lineup.
The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund
The halftime show supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. This is the central charity tie-in of the entire 2026 tournament.
| Fund goal | USD $100 million |
| Raised so far | Over $30 million |
| Per-ticket donation | $1 from every World Cup 2026 ticket |
| Beneficiary scope | Education and football access in over 200 countries |
| Partnership announced | September 2024, Global Citizen Festival |
| Partnership length | 4 years |
FIFA and Global Citizen announced the partnership in September 2024. Every ticket sold to the World Cup 2026 contributes $1 to the fund. FIFA president Gianni Infantino called it a chance to bring “music and football on the biggest stage in sport for a very special cause.”
How to Watch the World Cup 2026 Halftime Show
The halftime show airs during the World Cup Final broadcast. There is no separate channel or pay-per-view.
In the United States, FOX carries the English-language broadcast of the final. Telemundo carries the Spanish-language broadcast. Both networks are free over-the-air with a digital antenna. FOX One streams the English coverage in 4K. Peacock streams the Spanish coverage. International viewers can watch through their local rights holders.
FIFA has not yet released a standalone halftime show broadcast plan. The 2025 Club World Cup halftime show was streamed live and free worldwide on DAZN. A similar global free stream is expected for 2026.
Also Read: How to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 Live Stream Free Online
FAQ About World Cup 2026 Halftime Show
Are Shakira, Madonna, and BTS being paid for the halftime show?
FIFA has not disclosed performer fees. Super Bowl halftime performers historically receive no performance fee. The NFL covers production costs, and artists get global exposure in return. The 2026 World Cup halftime show is structured as a charity fundraiser for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. A similar non-paid structure is likely.
Will Coldplay perform at the World Cup 2026 halftime show?
FIFA has not confirmed a Coldplay set. Chris Martin is the curator, not a billed headliner. Coldplay made a surprise appearance at the 2025 Club World Cup Final halftime show, which sets a precedent. A surprise guest spot in 2026 cannot be ruled out. No official Coldplay performance has been announced.
How much do tickets to the World Cup 2026 Final cost?
Final ticket prices vary by category and FIFA’s dynamic pricing model. Standard prices announced by FIFA range from $2,030 (Category 4) to $6,730 (Category 1). As of May 2026, FIFA’s most expensive front Category 1 tickets are listed at $32,970 due to dynamic pricing. The halftime show is included in the match ticket. No separate purchase is required.
Can fans donate to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund directly?
Yes. Global Citizen accepts direct donations through globalcitizen.org. Fans can also earn impact points by taking action through the Global Citizen app. Every World Cup 2026 ticket also contributes $1 to the fund automatically.
Will the halftime show be available to watch after the live broadcast?
FIFA has not announced an official replay plan. Past Global Citizen-produced halftime shows have been published on YouTube within hours of broadcast. The 2025 Club World Cup halftime show is still available on FIFA and Global Citizen channels. A similar post-broadcast release is likely.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final halftime show makes history on July 19, 2026. Shakira, Madonna, and BTS share the MetLife Stadium stage. Kickoff is at 3:00 PM ET, and the show will run for about 11 minutes per Billboard and BBC reporting. Chris Martin curates. Global Citizen produces. The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund benefits from the entire production.
This is the first FIFA World Cup Final halftime show ever. Bookmark this page for setlist details, broadcast updates, and stage information as FIFA releases them.
