World Cup final adds halftime spectacle with Shakira, Madonna and BTS
FIFA’s first World Cup final halftime show is set for Spain vs. Argentina at MetLife Stadium, with a 30-minute break built around an 11-minute performance.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
The World Cup final is getting a Super Bowl-style pause for the first time, with FIFA staging a halftime show during Sunday’s Spain vs. Argentina title match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
According to CBS Sports, the 2026 final kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on July 19, with the new entertainment slot expected after the opening 45 minutes. The exact start depends on first-half stoppage time, but the setup could begin around 3:45 p.m. ET.
The match is being played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, listed by FIFA for the event as New York New Jersey Stadium. Fox will carry the final in English in the United States, while Telemundo has the Spanish-language broadcast, CBS Sports reported. The match is also available to stream on Fubo.
Who is performing at the World Cup final halftime show?
Global Citizen announced in May that Madonna, Shakira and BTS would co-headline the first FIFA World Cup final halftime show. CBS Sports reported that Coldplay frontman Chris Martin is curating the production, with Global Citizen producing it.
The lineup later grew to include Burna Boy, Justin Bieber, Uganda’s Triplets Ghetto and the P.S. 22 chorus, according to CBS Sports. Gustavo Dudamel, the Venezuelan conductor and music and artistic director of the New York Philharmonic, is also scheduled to perform.
The announcement itself came with a dose of TV nostalgia. CBS Sports reported that Cookie Monster and Elmo from Sesame Street appeared alongside Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy from The Muppets when the first performers were revealed.
Shakira’s latest World Cup anthem, “Dai Dai,” is also part of the show plan, with Burna Boy and Triplets Ghetto set to join that performance, CBS Sports reported.
How long will halftime last?
The soccer will stop for longer than usual. CBS Sports reported that FIFA has expanded the final’s halftime break from the standard 15 minutes to 30 minutes to allow for the stage to be built, the performance to run and the production to be cleared.
The show itself is expected to last about 11 minutes, according to CBS Sports. Including the stage work, the entertainment portion is expected to take roughly 20 to 25 minutes, leaving some time for substitute warmups if needed.
The timing also comes during a tournament that has used mandatory hydration breaks in each half, CBS Sports noted, adding another variable to when the halftime production begins.
What is the show supporting?
The halftime show is tied to fundraising for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. CBS Sports reported that the effort is aimed at raising $100 million for children around the world, supporting access to quality education and football opportunities.
The final itself carries the biggest prize in the sport, with Spain and Argentina meeting for the trophy. CBS Sports listed the match odds as Spain +125, draw +200 and Argentina +254.
For viewers who want more than the broadcast, CBS Sports said it will run a live blog with updates, commentary, reactions and highlights from the halftime show.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.