
The 2026 World Cup will feature a halftime show with Madonna, Shakira, BTS, and The Muppets. Additionally, there will be three opening ceremonies in different locations.
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World Cup 2026 to feature four music shows. Who are the artists?
For the first time, the World Cup final will have a halftime show featuring Madonna, Shakira, K-pop band BTS, and characters from The Muppets, FIFA announced.
But the July 19 halftime show from MetLife Stadium in New Jersey is not the only novel element in 2026 World Cup edition. The international tournament will also open with three ceremonies in three different locations.
Here's when these musical performances will take place, who are the artists and how to watch.
There will be three opening ceremonies, one in each of the hosting countries: Canada, USA, and Mexico.
Each opening ceremony will start 90 minutes before kick-off. Here are the details:
The halftime show will feature Madonna, Shakira, BTS, and characters from The Muppets.
The halftime show is scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The tournament will also include three opening ceremonies in different locations.


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Telemundo and Fox Sports will broadcast the World Cup live in Spanish and English respectively.
Fans can also stream the games on Fubo, Sling TV, YouTube TV or on any live TV streaming service that includes Fox Sports or Telemundo.
If you don't have cable TV or a live TV streaming service, you can stream the games with a Peacock premium subscription ($10.99 a month). The game on Peacock will have commentary in Spanish as the transmission will be Telemundo's broadcast.
Alternatively, those with antenna can watch the World Cup on FOX local channels.
Juan Carlos Castillo is a New Jersey-based trending reporter for the USA Today network. He covers weather, FIFA World Cup, and national events focusing on how they affect New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: How many opening ceremonies will the World Cup have?