Shakira and Madonna set to perform at FIFA World Cup halftime show
Shakira and Madonna are set to share the stage at the first-ever halftime show in FIFA World Cup history, reports BritPanorama. Tournament organisers are planning a Super Bowl-style spectacle for the 2026 World Cup final, which will take place at MetLife Stadium on July 19 as the United States, Mexico, and Canada jointly host the competition.
Previously confirmed as the headline act, Coldplay will be joined by a host of global stars, with an unusual announcement video posted to the official social media account of Sesame Workshop featuring Coldplay frontman Chris Martin alongside Elmo.
Among the biggest names confirmed are Shakira and Madonna, a pairing that has already generated considerable excitement online. Shakira’s inclusion carries special significance due to her longstanding association with football’s biggest tournament. Her 2010 anthem “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” remains one of the most recognisable World Cup songs ever recorded.
The Colombian star is also set to release a new song for this year’s competition titled “Dai Dai.” Madonna, who continues to be one of the most influential artists in music decades after launching her career, is expected to augment the event’s appeal.
Also joining the show are BTS, whose global popularity is anticipated to attract enormous attention from fans around the world. The K-pop supergroup confirmed their participation during the announcement via a video call, highlighting the ambitious scale of the entertainment production.
The halftime show will additionally feature appearances from beloved characters including Cookie Monster, Kermit the Frog, and Miss Piggy. Following the announcement, supporters reacted enthusiastically, expressing delight at the prospect of seeing Madonna and Shakira perform together.
To accommodate this expanded production, organisers are expected to lengthen the traditional 15-minute halftime interval to allow sufficient time for performers, stage equipment, and technical setup. However, the ultimate outcome of who makes it to the final remains to be seen, with England poised to start their World Cup campaign against Croatia, alongside matches against Ghana and Panama. Scotland will face Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil in the group stages.
As excitement builds ahead of the tournament, the intersection of music and sport in such an iconic event serves as a reminder of how deeply the World Cup resonates across cultures, bringing together entertainment and competition in an unparalleled spectacle.
