If you are going to suffer through the halftime show in the World Cup final, it is good to know that they do not intend to put the money in their own pocket at least, but the money on to good causes.
Shakira, Madonna and BTS will perform the halftime show at the World Cup final MetLife Stadium on July 19. – Our football experts are convinced that the final will be played between Iran and Iraq. – Bring out flags and sweets!
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There have been discussions about how much pop stars Shakira, Madonna and the Korean boy band BTS will gain from being the main attractions in the World Cup final’s halftime show this summer, has now become clear.
The main event at MetLife Stadium on July 19 will feature a Super Bowl-like halftime show for the first time in the tournament’s history.
Chris Martin, frontman of Coldplay, will curate the show, which FIFA president Gianni Infantino in a statement last year called “a show worthy of the world’s biggest sporting event”.
The show mirrors last year’s Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, which was also played at the MetLife Stadium. Tems, J Balvin and Doja Cat were the main attractions at the time – much to the chagrin of football supporters around the world. Many criticized the length, which extended the break far beyond the regular time of 15 minutes. It is believed that the World Cup final halftime show will last for 11 minutes.
Shakira’s participation will be a welcome return for many football supporters. We all loved “Waka Waka” in 2010 – didn’t we? (Also read: none)
Donating his time to charity
Now, however, we know that she and her fellow artists will not take any money for the performance. According to The Athletic, sources have confirmed that the artists will instead donate their time to the social rights organization Global Citizen.
This is similar to the scheme in the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl halftime performers don’t get paid either; instead, they use the exposure from America’s most-watched TV broadcast to strengthen their own brands.
FIFA previously announced that the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France had a global reach of 1,42 billion viewers worldwide.
Infantino: “A celebration of football”
Infantino issued a further statement on Thursday, explaining that the music of Shakira, Madonna and BTS “transcends boundaries and generations.” He also added that the show will be a “celebration of football” rather than a commercial event.
“Madonna, Shakira and BTS are global icons whose music transcends borders and generations. We are proud to welcome them to the very first half-time show of a FIFA World Cup final, curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay,” Infantino said.
“As the world gathers for the biggest soccer game on July 19, 2026 in New York and New Jersey, this historic show will also shine a spotlight on a greater purpose by supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund and our shared mission to provide children around the world with access to quality education and soccer opportunities.” It will be a celebration of football, unity and shared humanity – a celebration that will resonate long after the final whistle has sounded.
Read: Former UEFA boss Michel Platini reviews FIFA president Gianni Infantino
