​The 2026 World Cup brings a host of notable firsts. For the first time, the tournament expanded to 48 teams, which in turn created an inaugural round of 32. Four teams made their World Cup debuts, including the Cinderella story Cape Verde. In another memorable milestone, Cristiano Ronaldo found the back of the net in a World Cup knockout match, marking his first goal in that stage of the tournament. And for the first time, a halftime show will accompany the World Cup final, delivering a global musical spectacle alongside the championship clash.
The lineup for the World Cup halftime show reads like a star-studded roster. Shakira, who performed the official tournament song “Dai Dai” with Burna Boy, will take the stage, joining Madonna and BTS as headliners. Shakira is no stranger to this event, having already performed at Mexico’s opening ceremony and marking her fourth World Cup performance. This will also mark her return to the competition since 2014. In a late addition to the plan, FIFA announced on Wednesday, July 8, that Justin Bieber would join the outstanding lineup. The Canadian singer, who delivered a stripped-back, compelling set at Coachella this spring, is set to bring his catalog of hits to the global stage.
So, who exactly will be performing at the World Cup halftime show? The official lineup features a core trio of headliners: Shakira, Madonna, and BTS. They will be complemented by additional artists including Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, and a PS 22 Chorus segment featuring Coldplay, creating a diverse and high-energy performance.
FIFA has indicated that the World Cup halftime show will last about 11 minutes. This duration is slightly shorter than the average Super Bowl halftime, which typically runs 12 to 14 minutes. For context, the 2020 Super Bowl halftime show featuring Shakira and Jennifer Lopez stretched to 14 minutes. The World Cup finale’s performance timing is designed to fit within the match day schedule while delivering a moment of global spectacle.
Viewers can catch the halftime show during the final match, which will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The kickoff is slated for 3 p.m. ET, with the projected halftime show start around 3:50 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 19. In addition to traditional television coverage on FOX, fans can live stream via Fubo or the Fox One App. Spanish-language broadcasts will be available on Telemundo and Peacock, ensuring broad accessibility for audiences around the world.