Global Appeal and Cultural Fusion

The event. Curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin through the nonprofit Global Citizen, will blend U.S. pop culture with Latin and K-pop influences, as reported by STERN.de and 한겨레. BTS, the South Korean boy band formed in 2013, will perform alongside the legendary pop stars, while this collaboration is seen as a milestone for K-pop’s global recognition.

Shakira has a long-standing relationship with the World Cup, having performed at the 2006 and 2014 finals and produced the iconic “Waka Waka” for the 2010 tournament. She recently revealed a preview of the 2026 World Cup anthem “Dai Dai,” set for official release on Thursday, as noted by EL PAÍS and Al Jazeera.

Charitable and Educational Goals

The halftime show is not just for entertainment; it also supports the Global Citizen initiative; the organization aims to raise $100 million to improve education and sports access for children worldwide. The FIFA will donate $1 for every ticket sold for the final to the fund, according to STERN.de; BTS expressed pride in being part of this cause, stating that music is a universal language of hope and unity, as reported by 한겨레.

The event was first announced by FIFA President Gianni Infantino at a World Cup event in March 2025, as cited by STERN.de; the halftime show will also feature appearances from “Sesame Street” and “Muppets” characters, making it a family-friendly event for all generations, according to 한겨레.

Logistics and Musical Legacy

The World Cup final will take place at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York City, as reported by STERN.de — this will be the first time the halftime format has been used in a World Cup final, breaking from traditional 15-minute halftime periods.

Chris Martin introduced the event in a video with “Sesame Street” characters, where he explained that the show will highlight the diversity of global cultures — Martin also confirmed a cameo by BTS in the promotional video, according to STERN.de.

Madonna, often called the “Queen of Pop,” and Shakira, recently celebrated as the “Queen of Latin Music” by two million fans at a concert in Copacabana, will bring their global fanbases to the event, according to EL PAÍS. This performance adds to the growing trend of using major sporting events as platforms for global music acts.

BTS has previously contributed to World Cup events, including a 2022 performance at the Qatar World Cup opening ceremony and a song titled “Dreamers” for the official soundtrack. Their continued involvement in global initiatives highlights their role as a cultural bridge between different nations and generations, according to 한겨레.