Queen of pop Madonna, K-pop sensations BTS, and Grammy winner Shakira are set to co-headline the first-ever FIFA World Cup halftime show. The announcement was made by the International Federation of Association Football, with Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Elmo revealing the news in a teaser trailer. The star-studded lineup also includes Miss Piggy, Kermit the Frog, and other Muppet characters.
The halftime show proceeds will go to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, aiming to raise $100 million for children’s education and football access worldwide. The FIFA World Cup Finals are scheduled for July 19 in New Jersey. This initiative follows FIFA’s previous halftime entertainment experiment featuring Doja Cat, Tems, and J Balvin at the 2025 Club World Cup.
In 2026, the FIFA World Cup festivities begin on June 11, marking the first time the event will be hosted in the United States since 1994. Bollywood star Nora Fatehi will perform at the opening ceremony in Toronto, Canada, alongside artists like Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette, and Alessia Cara. The ceremony, set for June 12 at BMO Field, will showcase a journey across Canada, reflecting the country’s diversity and excitement.
