Shakira, Burna Boy Set To Headline Historic First-Ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show

FIFA is preparing to transform the 2026 World Cup final into a full-scale entertainment spectacle, with global music stars Shakira and Burna Boy set to play major roles in what will be the tournament’s first-ever official halftime show.

The announcement marks a major shift in World Cup tradition, bringing football closer to the American-style sports entertainment model popularised by the Super Bowl. FIFA President Gianni Infantino first confirmed the plan in March 2025, describing it as “a historic moment” for the biggest sporting event on the planet.

“This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world,” Infantino wrote on Instagram while unveiling the concept.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the final scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. FIFA has not officially revealed the full performance lineup or the exact duration of the halftime show, but preparations are already generating global excitement.

The idea follows the growing trend of high-profile musical performances at major football tournaments. During the 2024 Copa America final in Miami, Colombian superstar Shakira delivered a halftime performance at the Hard Rock Stadium, drawing millions of viewers worldwide.

FIFA also experimented with an entertainment-heavy format during the FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium last year, where the halftime break extended beyond the standard 15-minute interval to accommodate live performances and stage production.

Adding to the buzz, Shakira recently teased a new World Cup anthem titled “Dai Dai,” created in collaboration with Nigerian Grammy-winning singer Burna Boy. The singer shared a short preview video filmed at Brazil’s iconic Maracanã Stadium, where she performed excerpts of the song while holding the official 2026 World Cup match ball, “Trionda.”

The teaser featured dancers dressed in the colours of several participating nations, including the United States and Colombia, before ending with the message: “We’re ready!” The official release of the song is expected on Thursday.

Shakira’s connection with the World Cup runs deep. She famously performed “Waka Waka,” one of the most successful football anthems ever released, during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. She also appeared during the finals of the 2006 and 2014 tournaments, cementing her place as one of FIFA’s most recognisable musical collaborators.

FIFA also announced plans to “take over” New York’s Times Square during the final weekend of the tournament as part of a broader fan engagement strategy. According to the organisation, proceeds and awareness from the halftime event will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative targeting $100 million in funding for children’s education worldwide.