The 2026 FIFA World Cup is preparing to end with more than just football. Ahead of the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium, FIFA has planned a major closing ceremony followed by the tournament’s first-ever World Cup Final halftime show.
The entertainment programme will bring together musicians, celebrities and online personalities from across the world. However, the five names featured in this post will not all appear during the same segment: IShowSpeed and Post Malone are part of the pre-match closing ceremony, while Shakira, Justin Bieber and Madonna will perform during the halftime show.
IShowSpeed
Popular content creator IShowSpeed will be among the featured performers during the World Cup closing ceremony.
The streamer became closely associated with the tournament after attending and broadcasting from several matches. His inclusion reflects FIFA’s attempt to connect the traditional football audience with a younger generation that follows the sport through digital platforms and online personalities.
His appearance will place one of football’s biggest internet figures on the sport’s biggest global stage.
Post Malone
Post Malone will headline the pre-match closing ceremony, leading the entertainment before the World Cup Final begins.
The American artist will take centre stage during a celebration designed to honour the tournament’s 48 participating nations and its journey across the host cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Known for blending pop, hip-hop, rock and country influences, Post Malone’s performance is expected to be one of the main highlights of the closing festivities.
Shakira
Shakira will return to the World Cup stage as one of the leading performers during the first-ever dedicated halftime show at a men’s World Cup Final.
The Colombian singer has a long history with the tournament. Her song “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” became one of the most recognisable World Cup anthems after its release for the 2010 competition in South Africa.
Her return adds a sense of history to the occasion, connecting one of the tournament’s most memorable musical eras with its new halftime-show format.
Justin Bieber
Canadian pop star Justin Bieber has been confirmed as a co-headliner for the World Cup Final halftime show.
Bieber will perform alongside several major international artists during the 11-minute musical production. FIFA announced his addition to a lineup that already included Madonna, Shakira and BTS.
As one of Canada’s most internationally successful performers, his presence also represents one of the tournament’s three host nations.
Madonna
Madonna will bring decades of pop history to the World Cup Final as another co-headliner of the halftime show.
The global superstar will join Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS during the landmark performance, which is being curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.
Her appearance adds another legendary name to a lineup designed to transform the final into a global entertainment event as well as a football spectacle.
A Historic Finale for the World Cup
The celebrations will begin with the pre-match closing ceremony, featuring Post Malone, IShowSpeed and several other performers and special guests. The focus will then return to football before the new halftime show brings Shakira, Justin Bieber, Madonna and other global stars onto the stage.
By combining a traditional closing ceremony with a dedicated halftime performance, FIFA is introducing a new format for the biggest match in international football.
For fans, the final will offer one last celebration of the tournament—bringing together football, music, digital culture and some of the world’s most recognisable entertainers before the 2026 champions are crowned.
