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Ever heard of a halftime show for soccer? Turns out FIFA is aiming to make it a thing at the World Cup final this summer.
Shakira, Madonna and K-pop superstar-boy band BTS will headline the first World Cup final halftime show at the Metlife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, the world governing body for soccer announced Thursday in an Instagram post.
FIFA said it hopes the Super Bowl-style concert, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, will raise $100 million US for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which is dedicated to expanding children's access to education and soccer.
Martin announced the show in a video posted to Coldplay’s Instagram page, joined by Sesame Street favourites Elmo and Cookie Monster, along with a surprise cameo by BTS.
The Super Bowl has long been synonymous with blockbuster halftime performances that draw millions of viewers and some of the biggest stars in music. Past performers include Michael Jackson, Prince, Kendrick Lamar, the Rolling Stones, Rhianna, Paul McCartney and this year, Bad Bunny. Madonna, Shakira and Coldplay have all headlined the show.
But in soccer, halftime has traditionally been reserved strictly for player rest. The rules set by the International Football Association Board limit the break to 15 minutes, and it remains unclear whether that window will be extended to accommodate the performance.
WATCH | How Canada is preparing for the World Cup :The 30-day countdown to Canada's first match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has started and organizers are promising plenty of excitement in Vancouver and Toronto for what's set to be the largest version ever of the tournament.The announcement has already sparked debate online, with some fans arguing halftime shows should remain exclusive to American football.
But according to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the event will unite music and football "on the biggest stage in sport for a very special cause."
"Every child should have the opportunity to dream, and together we can help make that possible he wrote," he wrote on Instagram.
WATCH | What to know ahead of the FIFA World Cup :The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to Canada — and it's going to be the biggest in the competition's history. It's the first to be hosted in three countries — and Canada is hoping it'll also have its first-ever World Cup win.FIFA also confirmed last week that Reggaeton superstar J Blavin would perform at the opening ceremony in Mexico City alongside a slate of other headliners who would highlight Mexican culture, including Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná and Tyla.
This year’s World Cup is co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico and will run through June and July.