BTS, pictured after a performance on “The Tonight Show” in March, is among the headliners at the World Cup final halftime show on Sunday.
Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images
The first-ever World Cup final halftime show is happening on Sunday, and it promises to be just as big a draw as the hugely successful soccer tournament itself. FIFA, the soccer governing body that runs the World Cup, partnered with Global Citizen, an advocacy platform working to end poverty, to use the show as a fundraiser for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund to expand education and soccer opportunities for kids worldwide.
FIFA went all out with the list of superstars scheduled to perform, showing a balance between the North American hosts and global performers. The headliners—Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS—all hail from different countries. Here is everything you need to know about the halftime show.
How to Watch World Cup Final Halftime Show
The World Cup final halftime show will air on Fox, Fox One and Telemundo, which are all carrying the final.
Madonna performs onstage during a free concert at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 4, 2024. She ended her “The Celebration Tour” with a performance attended by some 1.5 million fans.
AFP via Getty Images
Who Will Perform At The World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show?
Performers at the World Cup 2026 final halftime show include:
- Madonna, the Queen of Pop and an American who has sold over 400 million albums and just released her latest in early July
- Shakira, the bestselling Latina artist in history who released the biggest-selling World Cup anthem in history, “Waka Waka”
- Justin Bieber, the Canadian who rose to fame as a teenager singing on YouTube and has since sold more than 125 million albums
- BTS, the bestselling Korean act in history, which recently reunited for a massive global tour
Additionally, characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets will appear in the show, reinforcing the fundraising for children theme.
World Cup Final Halftime Show Time
The World Cup final halftime show will take place at about 3:50 or 3:55 p.m. ET on Sunday. The final between Spain and Argentina kicks off at 3 p.m. ET, and the first half will last 45 minutes plus at least 3 minutes to make up for the hydration break plus any stoppage time added by referees. That should put the halftime show start somewhere right before 4 p.m.
World Cup Final Halftime Show Duration
World Cup games usually have a 15-minute halftime. However, FIFA has agreed to extend halftime for Sunday’s final to 20 to 30 minutes, depending on how long is needed for the show. The World Cup final halftime show is expected to last about 25 minutes.
FIFA World Cup 2026 BTS Performance Time
It is hard to say for certain what time each performer will take the stage. Chris Martin of Coldplay is curating the performance, aka making the order and other executive decisions. Considering the short runtime of the show, each act will likely only get to play a signature song, and they could all unite on stage for a finale at the end.
Has The World Cup Ever Had A Halftime Show Before?
No. Sunday’s concert is a first of its kind, and FIFA has really leaned into the fundraising theme in its pregame marketing. Of course, the organization has also been accused of corruption and general shadiness in the past, so anything it can do to burnish its image is something it wants to lean into.