The World Cup final will feature a star-studded halftime show headlined by Madonna, Shakira and boy-band BTS.
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FIFA has announced that, for the first time, the final at the Metlife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19 will include a Super Bowl-style concert.
Soccer’s governing body said the show would support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which is raising $100 million to help children access education and soccer.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said it would bring together “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 posted on Instagram.
FILE – Madonna arrives at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Costume Art” exhibition on May 4, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
FILE – Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates with the trophy in front of the fans after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, FIle)
FILE – FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the match schedule reveal for the 2026 soccer World Cup in Washington, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)
FILE – Colombian singer Shakira rehearses a day ahead of her free concert on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, on May 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado, File)
The show will be curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
The Super Bowl is famed for its halftime show, attracting the world’s biggest stars for spectacular performances. This year featured Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny.
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Previous headliners included Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Madonna, Prince, Bruce Springsteen and Rhianna.
But halftime shows are not commonplace in soccer, with events such as the Champions League final featuring a pre-match concert. On May 30, the Killers will headline European club soccer’s biggest game between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal in Budapest.
It is not known how long the World Cup halftime show will last, but the interval in soccer is not supposed to go beyond 15 minutes.
FIFA describes it as “a singular moment at the intersection of sport, culture and purpose, broadcast live around the world.”
The World Cup is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and runs through June and July.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer