halftime

FIFA’s first-ever World Cup Final halftime Show sparked massive online reactions after Gianni Infantino praised BTS alongside Madonna and Shakira as “global icons.” ARMY celebrated the announcement across social media, mocked critics who questioned BTS’ influence, and highlighted the group’s growing global legacy. Fans also revisited Jungkook’s historic 2022 FIFA performance while calling the upcoming halftime show “iconic,” “legendary,” and another history-making moment for BTS.

FIFA will introduce its first-ever World Cup final halftime show during the 2026 tournament finale at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Featuring Madonna, Shakira, and BTS, the performance will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. Organizers insist the concert will remain shorter than the traditional 15-minute football halftime break to avoid disrupting the game.

For the first time in World Cup history, the final's half-time show will feature live performances from Madonna, Shakira and BTS at MetLife Stadium on July 19. None of the three acts are being paid, instead donating their time to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. The show, curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin, is expected to run 11 minutes, though the full interval will likely exceed FIFA's standard 15-minute limit. With a potential global audience surpassing one billion, the platform alone is the real currency.

Nashville is expected to officially secure Super Bowl 64 during Tuesday’s NFL owners meeting in Orlando, with the game planned for the Tennessee Titans’ new enclosed stadium. The $2.1 billion venue, scheduled to open in 2027, is designed to host major global events and could transform Nashville into a regular Super Bowl destination. The announcement has also reignited discussion around the 2030 halftime show, especially the possibility of Taylor Swift returning to the city where her career first took off.

Madonna, Shakira and K-pop megastars BTS will headline a Super Bowl-style half-time show at the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, organizers said Thursday. There was also a half-time show at last year's FIFA Club World Cup final, also at MetLife Stadium, which stretched the break in excess of the regulation 15 minutes.

BTS fans criticized a viral FIFA World Cup halftime promotional poster shared by Forbes Middle East, accusing it of being poorly AI-generated. Fans pointed out distorted faces, duplicated members, and missing idols, with many calling the image disrespectful and unprofessional. The backlash quickly spread online, forcing the post’s removal. Despite the controversy, excitement remains high for BTS’ historic performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final halftime show.

FIFA has officially announced that Madonna, Shakira, and BTS will headline the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show in 2026. The performance will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey during the July 19 final. The reveal, made through a teaser featuring Chris Martin and the Muppets, sparked huge online excitement. FIFA also confirmed proceeds from the event will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, aimed at improving children’s access to education and football worldwide.

Shakira says the upcoming FIFA World Cup halftime show with Madonna and BTS will focus on unity and children’s education rather than just entertainment. Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans revealed the idea was created to inspire global togetherness. He also praised BTS Army after fans reportedly raised over $10,000 within hours of the announcement without being asked to donate.

BTS will make history as co-headliners of the first-ever halftime show at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on July 19 in New York New Jersey Stadium. Sharing the stage with Madonna and Shakira, the group said the performance is a chance to spread “hope and harmony” worldwide. BTS also highlighted their desire to support children’s education through the FIFA Global Citizen campaign.

FIFA’s decision to bring Madonna, Shakira, and BTS to the first-ever World Cup final halftime show has sharply divided soccer fans. Many supporters believe FIFA should have chosen performers from the United States, Mexico, or Canada, while others dislike the idea of a Super Bowl-style show entering soccer. Still, FIFA says the event will promote togetherness and support children’s education worldwide.

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl 60 halftime show created massive buzz across the NFL world, but it also sparked major backlash. More than 2,000 complaints reportedly reached the FCC after the performance, with Texas leading the list, followed by Florida and California. While some viewers praised the cultural celebration and energy of the Bad Bunny halftime Show, others called it inappropriate for family television. The NFL and Roger Goodell defended the decision, while political reactions and FCC findings added another layer to one of the most talked-about Super Bowl controversies in recent memory.

BTS and BLACKPINK Lisa’s involvement in the 2026 FIFA World Cup sparked a major online fan war after debates over their official titles. Lisa was announced as a performer for the opening ceremony, while BTS will headline the tournament’s first halftime show. Fans began arguing over terms like “headliner” and “co-headliner,” with both fandoms claiming their artists received the more prestigious role. The disagreement quickly spread across social media, turning the FIFA announcement into a heated K-pop rivalry.

Fans are criticizing BigHit Music after BTS was reportedly credited on Jungkook’s solo FIFA World Cup song Dreamers. Many argued that Jungkook alone created and performed the track, calling the move unfair to his solo achievements. The backlash grew amid fresh buzz about BTS potentially performing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup halftime show, reigniting conversations about solo recognition, group branding, and BigHit’s marketing strategy surrounding Jungkook’s global success.

Breanna Stewart moved past Becky Hammon for fifth place on the New York Liberty’s all-time scoring list during Thursday’s matchup against the Golden State Valkyries. Stewart scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds, but the Liberty struggled throughout an 87-70 defeat at Barclays Center. Golden State’s aggressive defense, strong three-point shooting, and balanced scoring overwhelmed New York, which also continued playing without injured guard Sabrina Ionescu.

Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez has suffered a huge setback ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The 23-year-old fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during FC Barcelona’s 3-1 La Liga win over Real Betis on Sunday, May 17. The injury forced him off at half-time at Spotify Camp Nou and it immediately raised fears over his fitness for the tournament.

In a significant ruling, a Spanish court has mandated a £48 million reimbursement to global sensation Shakira, clearing her of allegations of tax fraud dating back to 2011. The court concluded that the tax authorities did not provide sufficient evidence to establish her residency status during that time.