Isiah Christie 
For the first time in World Cup history, the sporting event will include a halftime show similar to that of the Super Bowl. Organizers announced early on Thursday, May 14th, that the World Cup Final will have a halftime show with the intention of weaving together the global tastes of soccer fans. The artists confirmed to perform include Shakira, Madonna, and K-Pop group BTS. Read on to learn about the World Cup’s 2026 Final halftime show and what to expect.
About the 2026 World Cup Final Halftime Show
The 2026 World Cup final will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Sunday, July 19th (after a lineup of other matches happening at the NJ stadium). Between the transit concerns and local celebrations, the event has already altered the typical summer dynamic here in New Jersey, but the introduction of a halftime show is new and major for all viewers of the event.
Read More: Where to Watch Outdoor Movies in New Jersey for Summer 2026
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On Thursday, May 14th, organizers announced that this year’s World Cup will feature the first final halftime show in World Cup history, resembling the American Super Bowl tradition of halftime shows each year. Much like its American football counterpart, the World Cup will feature major artists on stage, with this year’s lineup including Shakira, Madonna, and the K-pop band BTS.
According to organizers, the World Cup halftime show will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative working to raise $100 million USD to promote access to education and soccer opportunities for children around the world. “Throughout the tournament, [$1 USD] from every ticket sold to FIFA World Cup 2026 matches will be donated to the Fund,” the FIFA World Cup team announced on Instagram.
FIFA’s History with Halftime Shows
While a final halftime show is new for the World Cup, FIFA has experimented with similar concepts for other events. The FIFA Club World Cup, a lower-scale event that was also at MetLife Stadium in 2025, featured a halftime show with Doja Cat, Tems, and J Balvin. The stage was woven into the stands, and the upcoming 2026 Final halftime show may adopt a similar design.
The halftime show will be a spectacle for many viewers, including fans familiar with the artists — but some soccer purists have concerns about its effect on game quality. Halftimes are often seen as a sacred time dedicated to rest and game-planning for players and coaching staffs, something a halftime show could disrupt.
This news comes after several headlines announcing other events and local celebrations for the World Cup, including official fan celebrations in select New Jersey “flag cities”, a Jersey Fan Hub at Harrison’s Sports Illustrated Stadium, and Jersey City Restaurant Fest adopting a World Cup theme for the summer.
See More: Where to Watch the World Cup in Hoboken + Jersey City
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