FIFA has unveiled the line-up for its first-ever World Cup half-time show, with Madonna, Shakira and BTS all set to feature as world football’s governing body looks to replicate the success of the NFL’s Super Bowl spectacle.
The climax of the eagerly awaited final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey this July will feature a star-studded performance headlined by Madonna, Shakira and boy band BTS. Curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, it marks the first time FIFA has staged such a show during its flagship event.
Eager to match the global reach and lucrative advertising pull of American football’s Super Bowl, FIFA is taking a clear page out of the NFL’s playbook. This year’s Super Bowl featured Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny, while past headliners have included Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Madonna, Prince, Bruce Springsteen and Rihanna.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the show would bring together “music and football on the biggest stage in sport for a very special cause.”
A familiar stage for Shakira
Shakira is no stranger to World Cup performances, having sung at several opening and closing ceremonies, though there has never before been a mini-concert during the break in play.
Last week, the Colombian singer announced she had teamed up with Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy for “Dai Dai,” the official song of the World Cup. “Dai Dai brings together the global sounds and energy of Shakira and Burna Boy in a vibrant celebration of football, culture and unity,” FIFA said as it marked the track’s official release on Thursday.
The governing body added that royalties from the song, available on major streaming platforms, will go towards the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
The 2026 World Cup, which begins next month, is set to be historic in its own right as the first to be co-hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico. It will also inaugurate an expanded format featuring 48 teams.
