FIFA World Cup 2026 Halftime Show: Madonna, Shakira & BTS to Make History
Consider the largest music videos you’ve seen on our screens. Perhaps it was Shakira’s Hips in the 2010 World Cup. Perhaps it was the Super Bowl show [which caused your jaw to drop]. Now think energy, but amplified and louder, in the largest football stadium in the world.
This is the halftime show of the FIFA World Cup 2026
If you’ve done all the research on the internet to find out who is playing, when, where, and if there are tickets available, and when you should go? We will be at your service! Needless to say, it’s the article that won’t leave you with any background noise.
That’s the thing, this hasn’t happened nearly ever before the World Cup. FIFA reports that there’s never been a half-time display this full before the final. That’s not just a concert, it’s a $100,000 concert. It’s an unbeatable time in music and sports history. It’s scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Let’s dive into it.
Who Is Performing the FIFA World Cup 2026 Halftime Show?
Three of pop music’s most popular faces have announced their halftime show appearances at the 2026 World Cup. It’s not speculation. This is the lineup.
They each play a unique part in the show. They all have a fan on nearly every continent. FIFA didn’t select any random artists; they chose the most popular ones. They selected artists they believe will resonate with the hundreds of millions who listen.
BTS at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Halftime Show
BTS has been confirmed to perform at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Halftime Show.
No long introduction is necessary for BTS. BTS is a Korean band that is succeeding in becoming a global sensation in a way that has never been seen in the music industry. Once again, after the year 2026, when BTS members had completed their South Korean military service, the group reunited, and it couldn’t be a more ideal time for presenting the BTS FIFA World Cup 2026 halftime show.
Their ARMY fans are in all countries of the world. The world’s largest football event, the FIFA World Cup Final 2026, will be a spectacle not to be missed at MetLife Stadium. This will be a time for many millions of people who have been waiting for a long time.
One can expect the BTS FIFA World Cup 2026 performance to be called a “full group performance. Look for great production-style choreography and sets that combine their most popular worldwide productions.
Madonna at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Halftime Show
For over 40 years, Madonna has been performing legendary concerts. Her concerts are among the most successful in the history of music, and she is known for concerts that are as much theatre as music.
The halftime show at MetLife Stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be one of many memorable moments for Madonna. She will take showmanship, show, and a massive library of songs that every generation of fans will relate to, in its entirety.
Plus, this halftime show will have a line-up of such acts that will be discussed a lot 20 years later, with Madonna, Shakira, and BTS co-headlining the show.
Chris Martin – the Curator Behind the Show
There’s always someone in the background who makes a great show happen. It’s the lead singer of Coldplay, Chris Martin, at this year’s FIFA World Cup 2026 halftime show.
Chris Martin is working as the creative curator for the show via The Global Citizen platform. He’s responsible for setting the overall tone and pacing of the presentation, and for bringing the whole thing together to a greater purpose. He’s not only performing shows. He’s developing a storyline.
A Historic First – the Story Behind the FIFA World Cup Halftime Show
Some interesting facts that people don’t know: Until now, there has never been a specific half-time entertainment programme in the FIFA World Cup final.
It’s the Super Bowl way of doing things for years. The halftime show was an afterthought at the Super Bowl, but it is now as popular as the game itself. FIFA was watching, and they decided that it was time to bring to the biggest sporting event the same passion and enthusiasm.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 final is the ideal time to start. The tournament will span three continents: the United States, Canada and Mexico. The final is in the USA. There will be an international audience. The conditions are ideal.
This will become the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show date in history, on July 19, 2026. It’s a red line in the sand. Before that, there was nothing. Then it will be some type of show.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Halftime Show Date, Time, and Venue
Let’s keep this simple.
- Date: July 19, 2026
- Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Event: FIFA World Cup Final 2026
The dates and times for the world-famous break-ins during the FIFA World Cup 2026 have been confirmed, between the two 45-minute halves of the final match. The 15-minute rest at the end of a normal soccer game is likely to be a glaring outlier compared to the long break that is expected on that halftime show.
MetLife Stadium has a capacity of 82,500 seats, making it one of the NFL’s largest stadiums. It has hosted Super Bowls before. The site is extremely well prepared to accommodate a large event. The set-up it creates for the opening of the MetLife Stadium halftime show will be suited to the occasion.
How to Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 Halftime Show Live
This can be seen from afar, even if you’re not in the stadium.
Fox and Telemundo will air the FIFA World Cup 2026 final in the United States, and the halftime show. This means that both networks hold the rights to the tournament and can broadcast it on satellite and cable television and on streaming apps, which are compatible with these types of television.
FIFA can broadcast to over 200 countries to reach the world. Search your local sports site to see how you can get your local feed.
There are details on how you’ll be able to watch it all unfold live, and stream the halftime show of the FIFA World Cup 2026 live below, but it’s worth noting here that both Fox Sports and Telemundo have streaming apps too (there’s also FuboTV to check out further down for $74.99/month). Fox and Telemundo can also be seen on Fubo TV, Hulu Live and YouTube TV for U.S. viewers.
Set an alarm. There is no time to forget.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Halftime Show vs the Super Bowl
But many are wondering, will it look anything like the Super Bowl halftime show?
No and yes.
The Super Bowl halftime show has a 30-year head start. It is a properly executed machine, a format free of ambiguity and complexity, with two or three performers and guest performers, a large stage and 12-13 minutes of music, lighting and chaos.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 comparison to the Super Bowl is apt, but this show has a much different meaning. In the USA, 120 million people watch the Super Bowl. Furthermore, the World Cup saw more than one billion viewers around the world.
This isn’t a minor difference. It’s on a completely different level.
The show is also bound with a cause, and that is a global cause with Global Citizen, which will really enlarge the dimension of the Super Bowl halftime show that it doesn’t normally have. It’s not a fun show. It also has a message.
The Global Citizen Partnership – More Than Just a Show
Global Citizen is a global advocacy initiative for celebrity-led social change through entertainment, to call on the government on issues such as climate change, poverty and education.
In celebration of the FIFA World Cup 2026 halftime ceremony this year, FIFA has partnered with Global Citizen to launch the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. To support funding and education for children worldwide.
A longtime Global Citizen associate, Chris Martin, is the link between the two. This is a mission-led Global Citizen Festival, curated by Chris Martin.
So it is not a silly thing to do to watch the show during a break. Global Citizen always has it easy for viewers to get involved, access what they want, or donate to the mission. This makes the audience active spectators.
What to Expect – Setlist Predictions and Show Highlights
No setlist has been officially announced. But, from the intel we have on these artists, this is our best guess on what could happen.
It’s safe to say that Shakira will be opening or closing her act with “Waka Waka. The song is more than music and has meaning relating to the World Cup. The singer could also get some inspiration from work in the past, consisting of songs for her 2023 album.
The BTS will be playing their most famous songs worldwide, such as ‘Dynamite’, ‘Butter’ and ‘Boy With Luv’. If they decide to release new music between now and July 2026, their halftime will be their highlight of the year.
There is no one with a larger record than Madonna. If you know she has a half-hour to fill, you may have to wait a minute or two for her to start plying you with her hits: “Like a Prayer,” “Vogue,” or “Hung Up” will do.
The Shakira, BTS, Madonna World Cup 2026 setlist is also yet to be confirmed, and possibly the presence of three artists on one stage is another sign of a crossover as well. If they all show up at the same time, it may literally get the internet going.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Halftime Show Tickets – Can You Buy Them?
Remember, the halftime show is not a stand-alone presentation.
Tickets are not available for the performance only. FIFA World Cup 2026 halftime show tickets will only be sold once the complete match ticket has been sold.
FIFA World Cup Final 2026 tickets will be available on the official tickets website. One of the most coveted types of sports tickets in the world is final tickets, and the demand for tickets to the 2026 World Cup Final in the USA is going to be incredible.
If you’d like to get to the venue for the event, the best route is via the official FIFA ticketing system. For all the official announcements for tickets, ticket balloting, ticket prices and sales window, please visit the official FIFA website.
Tickets will be resold on secondary markets. As the date approaches, tickets will likely be pricier.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony – the Full Entertainment Picture
Halftime shows aren’t the only moment to see music during the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The ceremony is expected to also have top-notch artists on the 11th of June, 2026. Katy Perry has been rumoured as the show’s first act! If she proves true, she has the potential to be the game-worn face of the whole weekend, beginning with the opening match.
FIFA’s commitment to entertainment is by no means limited to the end of the tournament, as they’re spending a lot of money on it throughout the event. The first half hour, the stand-up set up, and the lifting of the trophy – all the way up to this World Cup and beyond – is all very clearly different for the FIFA 2026 entertainment programme.
The Rose Bowl in Los Angeles will host the ceremony, opening up the tournament, making it another iconic U.S. stadium to add to the history of the tournament.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is performing during the FIFA World Cup 2026 halftime show?
BTS, Shakira and Madonna are confirmed. Coldplay’s Chris Martin will act as the curator of the event as part of Coldplay’s partnership with The Global Citizen. Coldplay’s Chris Martin is the curator of the event in partnership with The Global Citizen.
When will the FIFA World Cup 2026 halftime show be?
The halftime show will be on 19/07/2026. It will be playing the FIFA World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
How long will the FIFA World Cup 2026 halftime show last?
The dates have not been set, and are expected to be longer than a typical football break of 15 minutes, to accommodate a full game. It is estimated to take 20-30 minutes.
Where can I stream the FIFA World Cup 2026 halftime show?
It is aired in the United States on Fox and Telemundo. The Fox Sports app, Telemundo’s app, Fubo TV, Hulu Live and YouTube TV all have streaming capabilities. Please contact your local FIFA broadcast partner for international viewers.
Has any FIFA World Cup ever had a halftime show?
No. It was the first halftime show of this nature at the FIFA World Cup, and it was spectacular. This was the first time a halftime show of this nature had taken place in the history of the World Cup. This is the first time in FIFA’s history that it has hosted a complete musical halftime presentation for the final.
Who is in charge of this show? FIFA World Cup 2026 halftime show?
Chris Martin, lead vocalist of Coldplay, is the show’s curator with Global Citizen. Chris Martin is the overall director and creative director for the show.
Are there tickets in time for the show’s halftime?
No. Halftime shows are a part of the World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium. Live viewing will only be possible with full game tickets. Tickets can be purchased on FIFA’s official ticketing site.
What is the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund?
The fund was created with FIFA’s partnership with Global Citizen, with its main objective being education for children around the world. The halftime show is awareness and fundraising.
Have any artists performed at the Super Bowl before?
In February 2020, Shakira joined Jennifer Lopez to perform the opening act of Shakira’s Super Bowl LIV halftime show. In 2012, Madonna was the headliner of Super Bowl XLVI. BTS have never been a part of any Super Bowl halftime show.
What’s BTS’s relationship to this show?
BTS was previously linked to FIFA through their work on “Dynamite” and by appearing at various events related to FIFA. The 2026 halftime show comes after many of the members have served their military service in South Korea, making it one of the largest shows of the year.
Watch History Being Made on July 19
This halftime performance during the FIFA World Cup 2026 is no ordinary piece of background music. It’s a moment at the crossroads of the world’s most renowned sport, along with three of the biggest performers, on a stage that has never been used by a musician before.
BTS bring their fan base from around the world together. Shakira is reinvigorating the essence of football. After years of experience in performance, Madonna is in a new field.
Make a note of your calendar for July 19 2026. Install your streaming application. Let your group know that you will be on the chat.
Follow FIFA World Cup 2026 live at USA Times Square, where you can watch performances, read previews of the matches and find details about ticketing, and enjoy recaps of the halftime shows closer to the tournament.
