Recommendations of the Editorial team
Shakira, Madonna and BTS will be the first-ever halftime show at the Headline the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
Coldplay’s Chris Martin, who curated this year’s acts, announced the news in a social media video – along with Elmo and Cookie Monster from “Sesame Street” as well as Kermit, Miss Piggy and other iconic characters from the Muppets. The July 19 event will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and will raise money for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative to give children worldwide access to quality education and football.
Just earlier this month, Shakira released “Dai Dai,” the official song for the 2026 World Cup with Burna Boy – her second World Cup track after “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” which she performed at the opening ceremony of the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.
Madonna’s new project
Madonna returns to the Tribeca Festival this summer with a new film project tied to her upcoming studio album Confessions II – release date: July 3rd. The pop star debuted the album’s lead single, “Bring Your Love,” live at Sabrina Carpenter’s headlining performance on the second weekend of Coachella.
BTS returned earlier this year with their sixth studio album, Arirang, which was released in March – their first album in nearly four years after all seven members completed their military service in South Korea. In April, BTS brought their “Arirang” world tour to North America, opening for three sold-out nights at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
Last week, FIFA announced that Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, Lisa, Rema and Tyla will play the opening ceremony of the first World Cup match in the United States on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The USA plays the opening game against Paraguay.
Canada and Mexico are also celebrating
In Canada, Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Elyanna, Jessie Reyez, Michael Bublé, Nora Fatei, Sanjoy, Vegedream and William Prince will take the stage to celebrate the opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina at BMO Field in Toronto. And the opening ceremony in Mexico features J Balvin, Tyla, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná, Alejandro Fernández, Belinda and Danny Ocean – ahead of the tournament opener on June 11 between Mexico and South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
