Madonna, Shakira, BTS to headline first-ever World Cup final halftime show

FIFA World Cup fans will have something extra to go wild about during the final this summer.

For the first time ever, the World Cup final will host a Super Bowl-style halftime show, with megawatt headliners Madonna, Shakira and BTS. 

As the most popular sports tournament on the planet continues to expand its reach, especially in the U.S. market, the choice of artists is no coincidence. They're all huge artists in their own right, but for FIFA, this is their chance to truly resonate with fans. 

Global stars for the global game

Shakira is widely considered as the most successful Latin artist of all time. She joined Madonna, one of the most iconic artists in music history. And there's BTS, the South Korean superstar K-pop band who have achieved unprecedented, record-breaking success. 

All three of them appeal to a global market and will now perform at the final of a competition watched by more than a billion soccer-loving fans. 

Coldplay's Chris Martin was joined by Elmo and a few other characters from Sesame Street to make the big announcement online. FIFA says the halftime show will also feature Muppets from Sesame Street, along with Kermit and Miss Piggy, among others. 

This particular World Cup, being held in the U.S, Mexico and Canada - is the largest ever with 48 teams taking place - so FIFA's aim is to use the halftime show as a vehicle to grow to a younger, diverse and wider audience.

Halftime shows are unusual in soccer. Occasionally, there are pre-match concerts.   

Show is also a fundraiser

The show will benefit the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. The fund aims to raise $100 million and is dedicated to helping kids access education and soccer. FIFA says $1 from every ticket sold throughout the tournament will be donated to the fund. 

"Performing at the FIFA World Cup final in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund is deeply meaningful to me. Without education, children are denied opportunity before they even have a chance. Every child deserves access to quality learning — because education expands possibilities and creates lasting change," Madonna said.  

"I've spent my life doing two things — making songs and building schools. At the FIFA World Cup, those two paths come together. Standing alongside Madonna and BTS, I'll be performing 'Dai Dai,' the song I created for this FIFA World Cup and for the kids around the world we will reach with the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. My hope is that on the world's biggest stage, the importance of investing in children's education steals the show," said Shakira.

"Music is the universal language of hope and harmony, and we're honored to celebrate that power at the World Cup by connecting with millions of viewers around the world in support of children's education," said BTS.

"Madonna, Shakira and BTS are global icons whose music transcends borders and generations, and we are proud to welcome them to the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.   

15 minutes or more?

There are still more details to come, including a press conference in Lower Manhattan later Thursday with Shakira and others from the Global Citizen committee taking part. But for the first time ever, the men's World Cup final will have a halftime show. And FIFA is going all out for it.

One problem is that soccer halftime is 15 minutes, so FIFA now has to decide whether or not to make it longer, which could be a detriment to players accustomed to that 15-minute break. 

The final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.