Shakira and Burna Boy rehearse for the historic 2026 World Cup final halftime show, performing Dai Dai alongside Madonna, Bieber, BTS and Coldplay.
Shakira and Burna Boy have shared a warm embrace during final rehearsals for the 2026 World Cup final halftime show. The pair will perform their hit "Dai Dai" alongside Madonna, Justin Bieber, and BTS in an 11-minute spectacle supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
Global music stars Shakira and Burna Boy have been spotted sharing a warm embrace and laughter during their final rehearsal sessions ahead of Sunday's historic World Cup final halftime show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The Colombian icon and Nigerian Afrobeats superstar, who previously performed together during the tournament's opening ceremony in Mexico City, reunited on the pitch this week to fine-tune their performance for football's biggest stage. Shakira shared a rehearsal photograph on social media with the caption, "Getting ready for Sunday! @burnaboygram See you at the @fifaworldcup Final! Dai dai, iko, dale, allez, let's go," generating over one million likes from fans around the world.
The pair will headline the first-ever halftime show in World Cup history, performing "Dai Dai," the official song of the 2026 tournament, which has become a global hit since its release in May. The track, a vibrant blend of Afrobeats and Latin rhythms, was released in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to provide children around the world with access to quality education and football opportunities. Shakira's royalties from the song are being donated to the fund, with Sony Music matching the first $250,000 raised. "Dai Dai" currently ranks in the top 10 of Spotify's global charts and has accumulated over 336 million streams across platforms.
The halftime show, curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, will feature an extraordinary 11-minute performance bringing together some of the biggest names in music. The star-studded lineup includes Madonna, Justin Bieber, K-pop sensation BTS, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus, and appearances from Sesame Street and Muppets characters to highlight the education initiative. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the artists "will play a key role in conveying a powerful message of peace, unity and hope to billions of people worldwide".
The halftime break is expected to last between 20 and 25 minutes to accommodate the performance and the setting up and dismantling of the stage on the natural grass pitch. FIFA producer Guy Carrington described the show as "11 minutes of breathtaking suspense," adding that extensive precautions have been taken to protect the playing surface, including covering the pitch with tarpaulin and ensuring performers wear lightweight footwear. The crew has also conducted rehearsals with camera systems and stage equipment to minimise any impact on the pitch before the second half resumes.
Sunday's final will see defending champions Argentina face Spain in a highly anticipated title clash at MetLife Stadium, which has been renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament. Argentina reached the final with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over England, while Spain secured a 2-0 win over France. With millions of viewers expected to tune in around the world, the historic halftime performance promises to be one of the standout moments of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
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