Madonna, BTS, Shakira to Headline 2026 World Cup Final Halftime Show

The final match of the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is set to take place this Sunday at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium. The championship game will feature Argentina against Spain.

Tradition dictates a halftime show for major sporting events in the United States, and the World Cup final is no exception. While details have been scarce, the performance will occur during the extended break between the first and second halves of the match. The game is scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m. Argentine time.

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FIFA announced through its website that the show will be directed by Chris Martin, leader of Coldplay. Madonna, Shakira, BTS, and Justin Bieber will perform.

The halftime show is expected to commence around 4:50 p.m. Argentine time, lasting approximately 15 minutes, the standard duration for such breaks. However, some reports suggest a potential extension to 45 minutes. The lineup boasts major international artists including Madonna, Shakira, and BTS, with Chris Martin, the leader of Coldplay, directing the performance. The logistics of fitting these stars into the limited timeframe remain a point of interest, though FIFA has a track record of managing large-scale events, including the 2025 Club World Cup final at the same venue.

Adding a unique element, characters from the beloved children's programs "Sesame Street" and "The Muppets" will also participate. FIFA stated its objective is to ensure children worldwide have access to quality education, regardless of their origin.

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FIFA's objective is, as explained, 'to ensure that children have access to quality education, regardless of their place of origin.'