The 2026 FIFA World Cup final, scheduled for July 19 in New Jersey, will for the first time include a Super Bowl-inspired halftime show. The lineup features American pop icon Madonna, Colombian singer Shakira, and South Korean boy band BTS.

The show is curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who announced the lineup in a promotional video featuring characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets on Thursday. FIFA stated that the event aims to raise funds for its Global Citizen Education Fund.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino shared the news on social media, calling the show "a truly special moment, bringing together music, football and a shared commitment to improving the lives of children around the world."

The promotional video hinted at possible "surprises" beyond the three headliners. The show is reportedly expected to last around 11 minutes, which could extend the halftime break or reduce time for broadcasters to air commercials or analysis.

Typically, football halftime lasts about 15 minutes. The Champions League final, for instance, features a pre-match concert rather than interrupting the break. In 2017, German pop star Helene Fischer's halftime performance at the DFB Pokal final was met with boos and criticism, leading to the practice being abandoned.

Source: www.dw.com