Shakira, Madonna and BTS Are First World Cup Final Halftime Show
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- FIFA announced that Shakira, Madonna, and BTS will headline the first-ever halftime show at a World Cup final, scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, blending Latin, pop, and Korean music to reflect soccer's global fanbase.
- The halftime show was curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin and produced by Global Citizen, a nonprofit organization known for large-scale concerts addressing charitable causes; this follows a successful trial halftime show at the FIFA Club World Cup final in 2023.
- Shakira released the official World Cup song "Dai Dai" featuring Burna Boy and has a history of performing at major sports events, including the 2010 World Cup opening ceremony and the 2020 Super Bowl halftime show.
- The World Cup will be hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with games broadcast on Fox and Telemundo; opening ceremony performers include Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, Lisa, Rema, and Tyla.
- While major musical performances are popular in American sports culture, some soccer purists express concern that adding a halftime show may disrupt the traditional 15-minute halftime and clash with international football customs.