FIFA confirm performers for World Cup final half-time show and it's divided everyone

The line-up for the first-ever World Cup half-time show has been announced, and it’s divided the opinion of football fans.

Plans are well and truly ramping up ahead of the biggest World Cup of all time, with 48 teams set to contest 104 matches across three North American nations – the US, Mexico and Canada.

Seventy-eight of the games will be played across 11 US cities, with the final set to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.

Last week, FIFA revealed the star-studded line-up for the all-star opening ceremony in Los Angeles on June 12, with Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla set to headline.

Opening ceremonies will also be held in Mexico City and Toronto.

And in a similar fashion to the iconic Super Bowl half-time shows, the World Cup final will see some of the world’s most renowned artists perform.

On Thursday (May 14), FIFA announced the half-time show will be put together by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, with Madonna, Shakira and K-pop group BTS set to take centre stage.

According to FIFA, the show will support “the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a landmark initiative working to raise $100 million to expand access to quality education and football for children around the world. Throughout the tournament, USD 1 from every ticket sold to FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches will be donated to the fund".

It has been widely reported that the usual 15-minute half-time interval could be extended to 30 minutes.

World Cup final halftime show splits opinion

Fans on social media were quick to offer their thoughts on the line-up and extension.

One said: “FIFA turning the World Cup final into a concert. Half-time could be 25 minutes or more. This is not football anymore. This is a festival with a game attached lol.”

Another added: “The Super Bowl has been doing it for decades. The World Cup is bigger globally. Imagine the moments we missed. Better late than never.”

A third commented: “Genuinely nobody cares. It’s not American handball where people only watch the Super Bowl for the half-time show. People are watching the World Cup to watch football and the players. If you really wanted to host a half-time show, at least do it with relevant artists or global superstars. Who the hell cares about Madonna, same as Shakira. Get Eminem to do the half-time show. Even people who don’t watch football would tune in.”

A fourth praised: “LEGENDS!!!!! SOO FREAKIN EXCITED LET’S GOO.”

A fifth wrote: “If well organised, it’s a positive change that adds more spectacle to football’s biggest game.”