Madonna and Shakira set to star in inaugural World Cup championship halftime performance

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Global music icons Madonna, Shakira, and K-pop sensation BTS will headline the first-ever Super Bowl-style half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final, in what organisers describe as a historic expansion of entertainment at football’s biggest stage.

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The performance will take place during the World Cup final in New Jersey on July 19, at the conclusion of the tournament to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

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As reported by BBC Sport on Thursday, the show is expected to last about 11 minutes, though there have been suggestions it could extend beyond 15 minutes.

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FIFA regulations, however, state that the half-time interval should not exceed 15 minutes.

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This marks the first time a World Cup final will feature a structured half-time entertainment show of this scale, bringing a Super Bowl-style format to global football’s most-watched match.

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the initiative as a milestone for the sport.

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“It will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup, befitting the biggest sporting event in the world,” Infantino said.

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Shakira, who famously performed at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with her hit Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), is also expected to release a new official tournament song titled Dai Dai, featuring Nigerian artist Burna Boy.

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Madonna, the best-selling female music artist of all time, is preparing for the release of her 15th studio album, while BTS continues their global comeback following a break for mandatory military service.

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The half-time show will be curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin and will also support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aimed at raising $100 million to expand access to education for children worldwide.

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BTS, one of South Korea’s most successful musical exports, is currently on a world tour and is expected to perform alongside Madonna and Shakira at the final.

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The development reflects FIFA’s growing push to merge sport and global entertainment, expanding the World Cup experience beyond the pitch to a wider cultural stage.

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