Shakira, Madonna and BTS will perform at the 2026 World Cup final on July 19 in New York, FIFA announced Thursday, marking the first time the tournament’s championship game will feature a halftime show.

Who chose the World Cup halftime headliners?

The official World Cup song, “Dai Dai,” released last week, was created by Shakira. The Colombian superstar also wrote “Waka Waka,” the anthem for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Coldplay singer Chris Martin selected the lineup through the nonprofit production company Global Citizen, putting together a show designed to blend American pop culture with Latin and South Korean music influences.

Although FIFA has not yet confirmed full details, the addition of a halftime show inspired by major U.S. sporting events means the intermission is expected to last longer than the standard 15 minutes.

A similar format was tested last year during the FIFA Club World Cup, when J Balvin, rapper Doja Cat and Nigerian singer Tems performed during the final between PSG and Chelsea at the same stadium that will host the World Cup final. That halftime break stretched to 25 minutes and was widely viewed as a rehearsal for the 2026 tournament.

Last week, FIFA also unveiled performers for the opening ceremonies across the host countries, including J Balvin and Alejandro Fernández in Mexico, as well as Katy Perry and Anitta in the United States.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that of this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.