FIFA has unveiled the poster for the first ever halftime show of a World Cup final: Shakira, Madonna and BTS will share the stage at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026.
An XXL poster for a first of its kind. Shakira, Madonna and BTS have been chosen to perform the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA World Cup final. The event will be held on July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium, in New Jersey, on the occasion of the coronation of the 2026 World Cup organized between the United States, Canada and Mexico.
It was Chris Martin who announced the news, in a video posted on social networks. The leader of Coldplay, appointed this year as curator of the musical programming for the Mondial, appeared surrounded by Elmo, Cookie Monster, Kermit, Miss Piggy and several other figures from Sesame Street and the Muppets. Proceeds from the show will go to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a fund that finances access to quality education and football for children around the world.
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Shakira at the 2026 World Cup, in the footsteps of “Waka Waka”
Earlier this month, Shakira released “Dai Dai,” the official track for the 2026 World Cup, as a duet with Burna Boy. This is the second time that the Colombian has signed the anthem for a World Cup, after “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”, performed during the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Madonna on the momentum of “Confessions II”
Madonna, for her part, will make her return to the Tribeca Festival this summer with a film project backed by her next studio album, Confessions IIexpected on July 3. The pop star already revealed the first single, “Bring Your Love,” live during Sabrina Carpenter's set to headline Coachella's second weekend.
BTS, first World Cup since the return of “Arirang”
BTS made their comeback this year with Arirangsixth studio album released in March 2026, their first record in nearly four years after all seven members completed their mandatory military service in South Korea. The band took the Arirang tour to North America in April, opening with three sold-out nights at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
Other posters from the opening ceremonies
Last week, FIFA announced that Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, Lisa, Rema and Tyla will headline the opening ceremony of the first American match of the World Cup on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The United States will face Paraguay to kick off the tournament.
In Canada, Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Elyanna, Jessie Reyez, Michael Bublé, Nora Fatehi, Sanjoy, Vegedream and William Prince will celebrate the opening match against Bosnia-Herzegovina, on the pitch at BMO Field in Toronto. The Mexican opening ceremony will welcome J Balvin, Tyla, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná, Alejandro Fernández, Belinda and Danny Ocean, before the tournament kicks off on June 11 between Mexico and South Africa, at the Azteca stadium in Mexico City.
