Burna Boy is set to make history as one of the headline performers at the first ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show, joining an international line up that includes Shakira, Madonna, BTS and Justin Bieber.
FIFA confirmed that the Nigerian music star will perform at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on 19 July 2026 as part of the landmark show, which will take place during the World Cup final. The halftime performance is expected to run for 11 minutes and is being curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.
The show will also feature Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus, a choir made up of elementary school pupils from Staten Island, New York, as well as Coldplay. The Muppets are also part of the production, adding an unexpected twist to what is already shaping up to be one of the most talked about entertainment moments of the tournament.
Burna Boy’s place on the line up comes as little surprise, especially after his recent collaboration with Shakira on the official World Cup song, “Dai Dai.” The track was released on 15 May 2026 through Sony Music Latin and Ace Entertainment and blends Afrobeats with Latin influences in a way that reflects the global spirit of the tournament. The song was written by Shakira, Burna Boy, Benny Adam and Jon Bellion, and its title, drawn from Italian, loosely translates to “come on, come on.”
Both artistes had already shared the spotlight at the tournament’s opening ceremony in Mexico on 11 June, where they performed as part of the World Cup celebrations.
Speaking about the upcoming halftime show, Burna Boy described the opportunity as both an honour and a major responsibility. He said the FIFA World Cup remains one of the rare events that truly unites people across the world, adding that representing Africa on such a stage means a great deal to him.
According to him, being part of the first ever halftime show is not just about music and football, but also about contributing to a bigger cause by helping create opportunities for children through education around the world.
The introduction of a halftime show marks a major shift for football’s biggest stage. Unlike the Super Bowl, where the halftime performance has long been a defining part of the spectacle, football finals have traditionally leaned on pre match entertainment rather than performances during the break.
That changes with the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, and with a cast that cuts across Afrobeats, Latin pop, K pop and rock, the show is already shaping up to be one of the defining cultural moments of the tournament, well beyond the action on the pitch.
