BTS, Madonna, Shakira to perform together at 2026 FIFA World Cup final halftime show.

South Korean boy band BTS, American singer Madonna, and Colombian singer Shakira will jointly headline the halftime show for the inaugural FIFA World Cup final, scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, United States. This unprecedented cross-genre collaboration will bring together top artists from the global music industry to deliver an unforgettable performance for tens of millions of viewers.

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia occupying the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, separated from North Korea by the Korean Demarcation Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east. South Korea claims to be the sole legitimate government of the entire peninsula and its adjacent islands, with a population of approximately 52 million, half of whom live in the Seoul metropolitan area, the world's ninth-largest metropolitan area, with other major cities including Busan, Daegu, and Incheon. South Korea's history dates back to the early Paleolithic era, with its first kingdom recorded in Chinese historical texts in the early 7th century BC. From the mid-1st century BC, various regimes gradually unified into the rival Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla kingdoms. The Silla Kingdom later unified most of the peninsula in the late 7th century AD, while the Balhae state succeeded Goguryeo in the north.

South Korean culture and music have gained widespread recognition and popularity globally in recent years, particularly with the rise of K-pop, which has established South Korean artists and musical groups a prominent place on the world stage. BTS is a prime representative of this trend; their musical style and energetic performances have earned them a massive global fanbase and widespread acclaim. Madonna and Shakira are top-tier artists in the global music industry with extensive performance experience and loyal fanbases. The collaboration among these three acts will present audiences with an unprecedented musical extravaganza.

The FIFA World Cup is the world's largest football tournament, attracting the attention and participation of tens of millions of viewers. The hosting of this halftime show will provide audiences with a novel experience and enjoyment, allowing them to appreciate quality musical performances alongside the football matches. This also reflects the cultural and entertainment value of the FIFA World Cup, proving it to be not merely a sporting event, but a global cultural celebration.

The staging of this halftime show also reflects cultural and entertainment cooperation and exchanges between nations such as South Korea and the United States. South Korean K-pop and American pop music have become vital components of the global music industry, and artists and musical groups from both countries are actively engaging in cooperation and exchange. This collaboration will bring new creative and performance models to the global music scene, fostering the exchange and integration of diverse cultures and musical styles.

For Taiwan, the hosting of this halftime show exemplifies the diversity and creativity of the global music industry, while also reflecting the cultural and entertainment cooperation and exchanges between countries such as South Korea and the United States. This holds significant reference and inspirational value for Taiwan's music industry and artists, encouraging them to actively pursue creation and performance, and to promote the development and internationalization of Taiwanese music culture. At the same time, this reflects global cultural and entertainment trends and directions, offering essential reference and inspirational value for Taiwan's cultural and entertainment sectors.