Everything you need to know about the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show, from the star-studded lineup featuring Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS and Shakira to where to catch the performance.

After a month teeming with action on and off the pitch, the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially comes to a close on July 19. Much like the rest of the tournament, where big displays of pop culture and entertainment took center stage, the final match will be a show on its own. The entertainment highlight? FIFA introducing the first-ever World Cup Halftime Show—a spectacle unfamiliar in football culture where closing ceremonies have been king since the 1990s. 

What’s the World Cup halftime show, who are the music icons headlining the event and how to tune in to watch this history-making performance? Find all the answers below.

What’s the World Cup Halftime Show?

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show is, as the name suggests, a spectacle merging music, performance and pop culture. The show will enliven the 15-minute half-time interval between the two halves of the final match between Spain and Argentina

FIFA introduces this format for the very first time in 2026. The show will be produced by the advocacy organization Global Citizen in partnership with Live Nation and Done + Dusted. Chris Martin, front man of the English rock band Coldplay, will serve as the performance’s curator. 

According to FIFA, the Halftime Show will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aiming to raise USD 100 million to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children worldwide. 

“This historic show will also shine a light on a greater purpose by supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund […] It will be a celebration of football, unity and shared humanity that will resonate far beyond the final whistle,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

When and how will the World Cup Halftime Show take place?

The FIFA World Cup 2026 final match will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, renamed New York New Jersey Stadium during the football tournament. The match kicks off at 3:00 pm ET and according to official information, the Halftime Show will take place at approximately 3:45 pm ET. (Take into account that, by regulation, referees must exercise allowance in each half for lost playing time, so this is just an estimated time.)

Per a press statement, the show will last 11 minutes and is expected to become the most-watched halftime show in history.

Who will headline the World Cup Halftime Show?

For the history-making performance at the 2026 World Cup final, FIFA and Global Citizen tapped world-class artists across the global music spectrum. The co-headlining lineup features music legend Madonna, World Cup icon Shakira, Canadian pop star Justin Bieber and South Korea’s landmark septet BTS. 

Madonna will hit the stage fresh off the release of her album Confessions II. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and features Sabrina Carpenter, Feid, Stromae and Martin Garrix. In fact, her feature with Colombian rapper Feid, “Read My Lips,” was included in the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album (Bonus Edition)

Colombian icon Shakira—whose music has become synonymous with World Cup celebrations and was present at the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico—is set to perform one of the World Cup’s official hit songs, “Dai Dai,” featuring Burna Boy.  

“I’ve spent my life doing two things—making songs and building schools. At the FIFA World Cup, those two paths come together,” said the “Waka Waka” singer, who also serves as a board member of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. “Standing alongside Madonna and BTS, I’ll be performing “Dai Dai”, the song I created for this World Cup […] My hope is that on the world’s biggest stage, the importance of investing in children’s education steals the show!”

A Big-Scale Return to the Global Spotlight 

Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, otherwise known as BTS, will also make an appearance as headlining act at the World Cup Halftime Show. The South Korean group makes a global-scale return to major international events following the release of their March 2026 record Arirang. The album marked the group’s official return to the stage after a temporary hiatus that allowed all bandmates to complete South Korea’s mandatory military service. 

BTS will join the Halftime Show in New York, right after performing a historic double date at Stade de France as part of their World Tour, “Arirang.” While this will be BTS’ first World Cup performance as a group, the band’s youngest, Jungkook, has experience in the department. The singer performed “Dreamers,” one of the official songs from the 2022 World Cup, at the tournament’s opening ceremony in Qatar. 

“Music is the universal language of hope and harmony, and we’re honored to celebrate that power at the World Cup by connecting with millions of viewers around the world in support of children’s education,” said the group of their presence at the event.

Meanwhile, Justin Bieber, a last addition to the headlining lineup, joins after a buzz-worthy Coachella 2026 performance that brought renewed attention to the Canadian singer’s discography. 

“The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can,” Bieber said in a press statement. “I’m grateful to be part of this Halftime Show, and even more grateful knowing it’s already helping expand access to education for children around the world.”

Additional performing acts

In addition to the headlining acts, Nigerian singer Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus will perform at the Halftime Show. Burna Boy will also appear alongside Shakira, while Gustavo Dudamel will conduct an orchestra featuring members of the New York Philharmonic and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela. 

Further reinforcing the focus on children’s education support efforts, the PS22 Chorus—consisting of Coldplay, Ugandan dance crew Ghetto Kids, Australian singer Emmanuel Kelly, and Muppets from Sesame Street—rounds out the show’s lineup. 

How to watch the World Cup Halftime Show?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show will be broadcast worldwide through FIFA official media partners. 

In the US, Fox is home to the English-language broadcast of all matches. Meanwhile,  Telemundo is the official partner for Spanish-speaking audiences. Fox and Telemundo are also available through paid live TV streaming services; Fox at YouTube TV and the Hulu + Live TV bundle; Telemundo on Peacock Premium. 

In the UK, the BBC and ITV will broadcast the show. Although initial reports claimed that the BBC was skipping the performance to air the traditional first-half analysis, the English broadcaster will screen the full match—Halftime Show included. 

Check out where to watch the halftime show in your country below or find the full list of official FIFA media partners here.