FIFA has announced the first halftime entertainment show in World Cup final history, featuring Shakira, Madonna and BTS during the final scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The World Cup final remains one of the world’s biggest sporting events, with the 2022 final attracting more than 500 million live viewers. Organizers expect the addition of a major music performance to broaden the tournament’s reach beyond traditional football audiences.
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin selected the lineup of artists, saying the aim was to reflect the global diversity of football fans.
Details
The participating artists bring major international music credentials:
• Madonna has won seven Grammy Awards.
• Shakira has won four Grammys and previously performed at the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
• BTS became the first K-pop group to receive a Grammy nomination.
Madonna previously headlined the Super Bowl halftime show in 2012, while Shakira performed alongside Jennifer Lopez during the 2020 edition.
The show will be produced in partnership with Global Citizen, the organization known for large-scale concerts linked to humanitarian causes including poverty and hunger.
FIFA tested the concept last year during the Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium with performances by Doja Cat, Tems and J Balvin on a stage integrated into the stands.
The announcement comes as preparations continue for the tournament across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Opening ceremony performances are also planned in host countries with artists including Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, Lisa, Rema and Tyla.
While halftime performances are common in major American sporting events, some football supporters argue that extending the break could clash with the sport’s traditional culture, where the short halftime interval is considered part of the game’s identity.
What’s Next?
All eyes are now to the show’s duration and how organizers will stage it during the final, as football fans and entertainment audiences prepare for the biggest entertainment shift in World Cup final history.
