The 2026 FIFA World Cup final introduced an official halftime show with major international music stars, marking a first for the tournament. Unlike the Super Bowl, where halftime performances have long been central, the World Cup final traditionally focused solely on the match. This changed on July 19 when MetLife Stadium in New Jersey hosted a dedicated musical event during the interval. Madonna, Shakira and BTS performed as co-headliners. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin curated the show and chose the artists. The performance aimed to broaden entertainment around the final and support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, targeting $100 million for children’s education and football programs worldwide. The show was planned for about 11 minutes. Earlier experiments occurred at the 2025 Club World Cup, but this marked the first official halftime spectacle for the World Cup final itself. High-profile attendees included US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Tom Cruise, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Matt Damon, Timothée Chalamet, David and Victoria Beckham, Serena Williams, Mick Jagger and others. Some criticism arose, including from The Cure’s Robert Smith, who opposed the concept.
