BTS, Shakira, And Madonna To Headline World Cup Final Halftime Show

BusinessHollywood & EntertainmentBTS, Shakira, And Madonna To Headline World Cup Final Halftime ShowByLaura Sirikul,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Laura Sirikul is a L.A.-based reporter covering film/TV and music.Follow AuthorMay 14, 2026, 03:23am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.BTS 2026 World Tour ARIRANG in Goyang, South KoreaBIGHIT MUSIC (HYBE)BTS, Shakira, and Madonna have been announced as the headliners for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.Global Citizen posted a video featuring Sesame Street’s Elmo talking to Coldplay’s Chris Martin about the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) hosting its first-ever halftime show, which would raise money for Global Citizen’s children's education fund. Martin was tasked with curating the show and asked Elmo for help finding headliners.Elmo seems to have all the contacts – calling up BTS and Shakira in the middle of the video. Elmo suggested Madonna, with Cookie Monster suggesting the South Korean group because of his love for “Butter” – both the song and the product, which is needed to make cookies. BTS members RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook popped up on Elmo’s screen, telling the little red monster and Martin that they’ll be there.The boys are currently on their BTS World Tour ARIRANG, which began in early April in South Korea. With 82 shows across 34 cities, the group heads to Stanford, Northern California, this weekend before four nights in Las Vegas, then back to Korea for their Busan concerts. They then go on their UK/European and U.S. legs of the tour before finishing up in Asia, expected to end in March of next year.The call to BTS was made when the members were in Mexico City, around the time they met with the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum. The group was wearing t...