Justin Bieber, Shakira, Madonna and BTS: What to expect at the World Cup final halftime show that could break soccer’s rules

The 2026 World Cup Final is nearly here

After red-hot favorites France inexplicably lost to Spain on Tuesday, England is set to take on Argentina on Wednesday in the second semi-final clash

But regardless of whether the team you’re rooting for makes it to the final on Sunday, there is still something to look forward to: FIFA’s halftime show

Combining soccer and fandom, the musical event during the tournament’s final match will feature performances by co-headliners Madonna, Shakira, BTS and Justin Bieber. 

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And, hot on the heels of the divisive hydration breaks, it now appears that the show could result in the halftime break lasting as long as 30 minutes, potentially exceeding soccer’s typical 15-minute halftime limit

Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final, Yahoo’s taking a look at everything there is to know about the halftime show. Kicking things off…

‘A celebration of football’

Dubbed the Final Halftime Show, the Super Bowl-style extravaganza will take place on July 19 at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium (temporarily renamed New York-New Jersey Stadium)

The spectacle will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative designed to raise more than $100 million to expand access to soccer and education for children

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“As the world comes together for the biggest match in football on 19 July 2026 in New York New Jersey, this historic show will also shine a light on a greater purpose by supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund and our shared mission to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children worldwide,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement. “It will be a celebration of football, unity and shared humanity that will resonate far beyond the final whistle.”

Now, let’s talk logistics

Since kickoff is at 3 p.m. ET, the halftime show will likely begin between 3:45 p.m. and 4 p.m

While halftime in soccer is normally 15 minutes, it may be a bit longer on this occasion, given the production, setup and teardown required for the performance. On Tuesday, the Times of London reported that the break may last up to 30 minutes in total

The laws of the game, governed by IFAB (the International Football Association Board), state that players are entitled to a break “not exceeding 15 minutes,” in part because of player welfare concerns

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In 2021, IFAB rejected calls to extend the halftime break to 25 minutes, citing “potential negative impact on player welfare and safety resulting from a longer period of inactivity.”

However, this isn’t the first time soccer has embraced the idea of a halftime show. The soccer Club World Cup final last summer (also in the MetLife Stadium) featured performances from J Balvin, Doja Cat, Tems and Emmanuel Kelly, and also extended the break in play beyond 15 minutes

With a little help from Elmo and Friends  

FIFA unveiled its plans for a halftime show in May, with a video starring Elmo and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. In the clip, Martin, who was tapped to curate the show, asks Elmo for help finding major stars to perform. Elmo first suggests Madonna. The Cookie Monster then suggests BTS, while Animal suggests Shakira

“It’s where people get together and there’s singing and there’s dancing and there’s music, and it’s a chance to show how amazing all different kinds of humans are,” Martin tells Elmo about the halftime show. “And we get to raise some money for children’s education.”

One for the Beliebers

Bieber fans were in for a treat when the superstar confirmed that he will, in fact, be co-headlining FIFA’s World Cup final halftime show. 

The “Daisies” hitmaker has made a notable return to the spotlight in 2026: In addition to his nostalgic (and viral) headlining set at Coachella in April, the Canadian native made a surprise appearance during the 2026 NHL Draft last month. 

More performers are set to take the stage 

Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and BTS aren’t the only stars slated to perform. PS22 Chorus, the viral elementary school choir from New York City, will take the stage with Coldplay, while singer-songwriter Burna Boy will perform with Shakira. 

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“The FIFA World Cup is one of the few moments that truly brings the entire world together,” Burna Boy said in a statement. “To represent Africa on the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show is a privilege and a responsibility that I don’t take lightly.” 

Also set to perform are Gustavo Dudamel, the music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and iconic characters from Sesame Streetand The Muppets. 

A moment for ‘Dai Dai’ 

When Shakira was announced as a co-headliner for FIFA’s halftime show, it didn’t exactly come as a surprise: She’s no stranger to a World Cup collaboration! The Colombian superstar was the official voice of the 2010 World Cup, for which she sang the anthem, “Waka Waka (Time for Africa).” She recorded the track “La La La (Brazil 2014)” as a theme song for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and made her first World Cup appearance in 2006, when she performed her song “Hips Don’t Lie” with Wyclef Jean during the closing ceremony. 

This year, Shakira made her triumphant World Cup return with “Dai Dai,” featuring Burna Boy, the official 2026 FIFA World Cup song. Blending Latin pop with Afrobeats, FIFA describes the track as “a vibrant celebration of football, culture and unity.”

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Shakira told People that collaborating with Burna Boy felt like the “cherry on top” of this experience: “I always wanted to do something with Burna,” Shakira said. “I think that his voice just takes it to another level.” 

The setlist for the halftime show remains under wraps, but it feels safe to say that there willbe a performance of “Dai Dai.” The duo also performed their celebratory track at the FIFA World Cup opening match in Mexico City. 

For the “Whenever, Wherever” singer, performing at the World Cup halftime show represented an opportunity to spotlight the need for wider access to education for children. 

“Since I was 18, I spent my entire life doing two things: making songs and building schools,” Shakira said during a press conference in May. “Finally, during this World Cup, those two paths meet, come together and I’m very excited. I’ve created the song ‘Dai Dai’ specifically for this World Cup, but also for so many kids around the world who don’t have a voice and who are waiting for an opportunity.” 

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Shakira founded her charity, the Barefoot Foundation, in 1997, which aims to provide quality education to impoverished communities in Colombia. 

The “La Tortura” singer added of the halftime show, “We are ready to gather as much help as we can to give all those kids visibility and we’re ready to work for their access to quality education. … I can’t wait to be on that stage.”

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