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Madonna, Shakira, BTS headline 2026 World Cup halftime show

ESPN Soccer •
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On July 19, the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium will feature a halftime show unlike any soccer event before. Global icons Madonna, Shakira and BTS will headline, turning the interval into a Super Bowl‑style spectacle. FIFA says the concert will raise funds for its Global Citizen Education Fund for children across the world today.

Infantino shared the plan on Instagram, stressing that every child should have the chance to dream. The show will be curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay, echoing the Super Bowl precedent where artists like Bad Bunny, Michael Jackson and Beyoncé have headlined. Fans will watch the 48‑team tournament unfold across the US, Canada and Mexico.

The halftime will support a $100 million education fund aimed at giving children access to schooling and soccer. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the event would blend music and football on the sport’s biggest stage for a special cause. It signals a new era where global sport and pop culture intersect worldwide in 2026 festival scene.

MetLife Stadium, already a venue for the Club World Cup, will host the 48‑team tournament beginning June 11. The halftime show sets a precedent for future World Cups, potentially reshaping expectations for live entertainment during matches. With 48 teams and three host nations, the 2026 edition promises unprecedented scale and global reach across the world.