Madonna, Shakira and BTS announced for World Cup halftime show

The 2026 World Cup final will feature the tournament’s first-ever halftime show, marking a major shift in how football’s biggest event is presented to global audiences. Organisers confirmed that Madonna, Shakira and BTS are expected to headline the performance ahead of the final in New Jersey next summer.

For the first time in World Cup history, the final of the 2026 tournament will include a dedicated halftime entertainment show, bringing football closer to the large-scale spectacle long associated with the Super Bowl in the United States.

Tournament organisers announced the move on Wednesday, describing the show as part of a broader effort to expand the global appeal of the event beyond traditional football audiences.

According to organisers, Madonna, Shakira and BTS are set to perform during the halftime interval of the final, which will be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Additional artists are expected to be announced closer to the tournament.

The decision represents a significant cultural shift for the World Cup, where halftime has historically remained focused on match analysis and stadium entertainment rather than full-scale live performances.

Shakira has long been associated with football audiences following her performances connected to previous World Cup tournaments, while Madonna and BTS would bring additional international mainstream appeal to one of the world’s most watched sporting events.

The expanded 2026 tournament will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with organisers expecting record global viewership and commercial interest. The final is expected to attract hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.

Officials said further details regarding the halftime production, stage setup and broadcast plans will be revealed in the coming months.

The introduction of a halftime show is likely to divide opinion among football supporters, with some welcoming the entertainment-focused approach while others argue the tradition of the sport should remain unchanged.

Despite potential criticism, organisers believe the addition could become a permanent feature of future World Cup finals as the tournament continues to evolve into a broader global entertainment event.