Shakira, Madonna and BTS Will Perform at the World Cup Final — Right Here in New York

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final just got a lot louder. FIFA announced Thursday morning that Shakira, Madonna, and South Korean supergroup BTS will headline the first-ever halftime show at a World Cup Final, set for Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey — a short train ride from Midtown Manhattan. For the millions of fans who will be in the New York area for the tournament, this is no distant spectacle: it is happening in your backyard.

The show, produced by Global Citizen and curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, will clock in at approximately 11 minutes. It benefits the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a nonprofit initiative working to raise $100 million for children's education and access to football worldwide. One dollar from every World Cup match ticket sold contributes to the fund throughout the tournament.

Why This Matters for NYC Fans

MetLife Stadium sits 8 miles from Midtown Manhattan. Fans traveling to New York for the World Cup will be within easy reach of the biggest music event in the tournament's history — but logistics still require planning. The stadium does not have a direct subway connection. Travelers from Manhattan should take NJ Transit from Penn Station, a 25-minute ride to Meadowlands Station. For full transit guidance, see our guide to getting to MetLife Stadium from NYC.

This is also the city Madonna calls home. Born in Michigan and long based in New York, the Queen of Pop has deep roots in the city that will host the sport's ultimate game. Her Confessions II album — sequel to her 2005 classic — arrives July 3, just over two weeks before the Final, making the MetLife stage one of the most anticipated live debuts of her comeback year.

For Shakira, the moment carries additional resonance. She is the only artist to have recorded two official FIFA World Cup songs, with "Waka Waka" from South Africa 2010 now joined by "Dai Dai," her 2026 anthem with Burna Boy. She also has New York-area concert dates on July 14 and July 20 — the day before and the day after the Final — as part of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour.

BTS, fresh off their ARIRANG album debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in March, brings one of the world's most globally distributed fanbases to the MetLife turf. Their presence guarantees the show will draw viewership across Asia and beyond — matching the tournament's own global footprint.

A First for the World Cup, Familiar to New York

The World Cup Final has never featured a halftime show. FIFA president Gianni Infantino teased the concept at a tournament event in March 2025, saying the performance would be "befitting the biggest sporting event in the world." The format draws obvious comparison to the Super Bowl halftime show, a tradition that New York-area fans know well: MetLife Stadium hosted Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014.

Two of the three headliners have done it before. Madonna performed at Super Bowl XLVI in 2012; Shakira co-headlined Super Bowl LIV in 2020 alongside Jennifer Lopez. Both shows were produced for a US stadium audience and a global broadcast. The July 19 performance will be no different, except the sport is football — the world's football — and the crowd will include fans from virtually every nation on earth.

The 2026 World Cup is the first to expand to 48 teams and the first hosted across three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. MetLife Stadium will host six group-stage matches and the Final, making it the most important venue of the entire tournament. For a full breakdown of the NYC-area match schedule, including group games and knockout rounds, see our schedule guide.

The Opening Ceremony Context

The Final halftime show is one piece of a broader musical programme FIFA has assembled around the tournament. FIFA confirmed that Katy Perry, Future, Tyla, LISA, and Anitta will perform at the 2026 World Cup opening ceremonies, with Perry headlining the main ceremony in Los Angeles ahead of the United States' opening match on June 12. J Balvin will headline the opening ceremony in Mexico City on June 11, where the tournament kicks off.

New York-area fans planning to follow the full arc of the tournament — from the kickoff in Mexico City through to the Final at MetLife — should consult our complete venue and city guide for logistics across all host cities.

Planning Your MetLife Experience

The Final on July 19 is the hardest ticket in the tournament. For fans already in possession of Final tickets — or planning to watch from the broader New York area — here is what to keep in mind:

• Transit: NJ Transit from Penn Station is the primary route. OMNY tap-to-pay is accepted; the MetroCard was discontinued in January 2026. Check our MetLife transit guide for full details including schedules and fares.
• Accommodation: Hotels across New York and New Jersey fill fast around Final weekend. For current availability and neighborhood guidance, see our where to stay guide.
• Fan zones: If you are watching the Final from a public venue rather than inside MetLife, New York City is hosting official fan zones across all five boroughs. See our fan zones guide for confirmed locations and programming.