Shakira, Madonna, BTS to headline World Cup Final’s first-ever halftime show

World CupShakira, Madonna, BTS to headline World Cup Final’s first-ever halftime showThe world’s premier soccer event, which will be held across the U.S., Mexico and Canada, kicks off June 11.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Shakira performs on stage during a show in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on May 2.Buda Mendes / Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 14, 2026, 2:12 AM EDTBy Phil HelselPop icon Madonna, Latin music superstar Shakira and K-pop sensations BTS will headline the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA World Cup final, organizers — and The Muppets — said early Thursday.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.The headliners, some of the biggest musical acts from past and present, will make history when they take the stage at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19. Coldplay singer Chris Martin, with the help of furry Sesame Street friend Elmo, made the announcement in a video. In it, Martin, who is curating the show, tells Elmo of the significance of the performance — and gets some help choosing the performers. With Elmo suggests Madonna, Cookie Monster — between bites of a cookie — suggests BTS, and Animal makes his feelings clear: “Animal want Shakira.” (Miss Piggy assumed it would be her, but took the decision well). The show will raise funds for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which the organization on X said aims to raise $100 million to “expand access to quality education and football for children around the world.”FIFA said that $1 from every ticket sold to World Cup matches will be donated to the fund. Shakira is no stranger to the World Cup. The official song for this year’s tournament, “Dai Dai,” set to be released Thursday, is sung by the Colombian superstar. She has also recorded the official song for two other World Cups: 2010’s “Waka Waka” and 2014’s “La La La.”Madonna, meanwhile, will release her new album, “Confessions II,” on July 3. That record is set t...