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.
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.
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.
FIFA regulations, however, state that the half-time interval should not exceed 15 minutes.
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.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the initiative as a milestone for the sport.
“It will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup, befitting the biggest sporting event in the world,” Infantino said.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
