Particle.news
Download on the App Store

FIFA Taps Madonna, Shakira and BTS for First World Cup Final Halftime Show

The concert frames the final as a fundraising showcase that could reshape the halftime format.

Overview

  • FIFA named the trio in a social video Wednesday night featuring curator Chris Martin alongside Sesame Street and Muppet characters.
  • The performance is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium during the World Cup final, with U.S. coverage on Fox and Telemundo.
  • Global Citizen will produce the show, which supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund targeting $100 million with $1 from every ticket pledged.
  • Key details remain unresolved under the 15-minute halftime rule set by soccer’s lawmakers, and a Club World Cup test last year stretched the break to about 24 minutes.
  • The move brings a Super Bowl-style spectacle to soccer’s biggest game as the expanded 2026 tournament spans the U.S., Canada and Mexico.