Shakira co-headlined the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show on July 19, 2026, performing alongside Madonna, BTS, and Justin Bieber at MetLife Stadium.
A First For World Cup History
For 96 years, the FIFA World Cup Final never featured a dedicated halftime show. That changed on July 19, 2026, when FIFA staged its first one during the championship match between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, according to the announcement covered by Music Times. musictimes
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Who Performed With Shakira
Shakira co-headlined the show alongside Madonna, BTS, and Justin Bieber. The 11-minute performance was curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and featured Nigerian singer Burna Boy, based on details from Forbes. The Muppets also appeared as part of the show, alongside Gustavo Dudamel and the PS 22 Chorus, according to Global Citizen. ForbesGlobal Citizen
Shakira’s Role In The Tournament
Shakira’s involvement went beyond the final. She performed the tournament’s official anthem, “Dai Dai,” together with Burna Boy, and the two first debuted the song at the opening ceremony in Mexico City, as reported by Forbes. Forbes
Timing And Format Of The Show
The halftime performance began around 4 to 4:15 p.m. ET, depending on first half stoppage time, and ran for approximately 11 minutes, according to SiriusXM. FIFA extended the usual 15 minute halftime break to about 30 minutes total, accounting for stage setup, the performance itself, and teardown time, based on reporting from Bleacher Report. Players including Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal waited a total of 27 minutes before the second half resumed. Hear the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final Halftime Show Live: Shakira, Madonna, BTS, and Justin Bieber +2
Why The Show Was Created
The performance was designed to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aiming to raise 100 million dollars to expand access to education and football opportunities for children worldwide, according to Forbes. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said education was central to the initiative when announcing the lineup, based on statements shared through Forbes. Forbes
Where Fans Watched The Show
The 2026 World Cup final also included a closing ceremony before kickoff, with performances from Post Malone, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, and IShowSpeed, plus a special appearance from Tom Cruise, according to TODAY. Beyond the stadium, 50,000 fans gathered at Central Park’s Great Lawn in New York for the largest official World Cup final watch party, which featured giant screens and live entertainment alongside the halftime broadcast, based on details from Global Citizen. TODAY.comGlobal Citizen
FAQ: Shakira World Cup Final 2026: Inside Her Epic Halftime Performance
Q: Did Shakira perform at the 2026 World Cup Final?
A: Yes. Shakira co-headlined the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show on July 19, 2026, alongside Justin Bieber, Madonna, and BTS at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium).
Q: What song did Shakira perform at the World Cup Final?
A: Shakira performed “Dai Dai,” her collaboration with Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy, which served as the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem. The two artists first debuted the track during the opening ceremony in Mexico City.
Q: Who joined Shakira on stage during her performance?
A: Burna Boy joined Shakira on stage, along with dancers from around the world who had participated in her viral “Dai Dai Challenge” on social media.
Q: Who else performed alongside Shakira at the halftime show?
A: The 11-minute halftime show was co-headlined by Justin Bieber, Madonna, and BTS, and was curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.
Q: What time did Shakira’s halftime performance take place?
A: Kickoff for the final between Argentina and Spain was at 3 p.m. ET, with the halftime show beginning around 4–4:15 p.m. ET and running approximately 11 minutes.
Q: Is this Shakira’s first World Cup performance?
A: No. Shakira previously performed “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” the official anthem of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, at both the opening and closing ceremonies of that tournament. The 2026 performance marks her fourth major tournament anthem.
Q: What cause did the 2026 halftime show support?
A: The performance supported the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aiming to raise $100 million to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children worldwide.
Q: Where can fans watch or listen to the halftime show?
A: The show aired on FOX Sports, with a live radio broadcast also available on SiriusXM (Ch. 83), including national and Spanish-language feeds.
Q: How did fans react to Shakira’s performance?
A: Fans and commentators responded enthusiastically online, with many hailing her as the “Queen of World Cups” following the announcement of her global dancer lineup ahead of the show.
