Global music stars Madonna, Shakira and BTS are set to headline the first-ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final this summer.

The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will conclude with the final in MetLife Stadium on 19 July.

The performance is expected to last around 11 minutes, despite speculation the show could extend beyond the standard 15-minute half-time interval allowed under the laws of football.

The introduction of a Super Bowl-style performance marks a major shift for FIFA, with elaborate pre-match entertainment already common at events such as the UEFA Champions League Final.

Last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup final in the US between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain featured a half-time show lasting more than 24 minutes.

Shakira’s involvement comes shortly after the announcement of her official World Cup anthem Dai Dai, which also features Nigerian music star Burna Boy.

The Colombian singer previously delivered one of football’s most iconic tournament songs with Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Meanwhile, Madonna — often referred to as the “Queen of Pop” — is preparing to release her 15th studio album, Confessions II, on 3 July.

The 67-year-old recently made a surprise appearance during Sabrina Carpenter’s set at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where the pair performed Vogue and Like a Prayer together.

BTS, regarded as the best-selling music act in South Korean history with more than 45 million albums sold, are also preparing for a major comeback after a three-year hiatus during which members completed mandatory military service.

The group previously collaborated with Coldplay on the hit single My Universe.

The half-time show is being curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100m for children around the world.

Gianni Infantino previously described the event as “a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup, befitting the biggest sporting event in the world.”

A coroner overseeing the inquest into the death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne has said authorities in the UK are still waiting for additional evidence from Argentina as investigations there continue.

During a pre-inquest review hearing held at Beaconsfield Coroner’s Court on Thursday, senior coroner Crispin Butler said there had been no significant updates since a previous hearing in January 2025.

“We have had no further disclosure of evidence from Argentina via the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office,” Butler told the court.

Payne, who was 31, died in October 2024 after falling from a balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires.

A post-mortem examination found the singer died from multiple traumas and “internal and external haemorrhage” after falling from the hotel’s third-floor balcony.

The coroner said documentation already received from Argentina had undergone translation and confirmed that relevant material would be shared with Payne’s family, who were not present at the hearing.

Butler added that his understanding was that investigations by authorities in Argentina were still ongoing.

In February last year, an Argentine court dropped criminal negligence charges against three of the five people initially charged in connection with Payne’s death.

Payne rose to global fame as a member of One Direction before launching a successful solo career following the band’s hiatus. He released his debut solo album, LP1, in December 2019.

The inquest proceedings in the UK have now been adjourned until a further pre-inquest review scheduled for 1 December.

Pussycat Dolls have cancelled the North American leg of their reunion tour after disappointing ticket sales, while confirming that their European dates will proceed as planned.

Three members of the group—Nicole Scherzinger, Ashley Roberts and Kimberly Wyatt—had earlier announced a comeback with a new single and a global tour. However, the trio said they made the “difficult and heartbreaking decision” to cancel nearly all scheduled shows in the United States and Canada after reassessing demand.

“After taking an honest look” at the North American tour, the group said they concluded it was not viable to proceed with the planned dates.

The only performance that will go ahead in the U.S. is their appearance at WeHo Pride in Los Angeles on 6 June, which they described as a meaningful opportunity to connect with fans.

“We could not think of a more meaningful place to celebrate with our fans,” the group said, highlighting the long-standing support they have received from the LGBTQ+ community.

The Dolls had originally planned 33 dates across North America throughout June, July and August. Fans who purchased tickets via platforms like Ticketmaster or AXS will receive automatic refunds, while those who bought through third-party sellers have been advised to contact their vendors directly.

In contrast, the European leg of the tour is performing strongly. The group confirmed that multiple shows across the UK and Ireland are already sold out, with the tour set to begin in Copenhagen in September.

UK stops include Birmingham, Nottingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Dublin, Glasgow, Newcastle and Manchester, before concluding at The O2 Arena on 13 October.

The group said they are now focused on delivering “unforgettable” performances for European audiences, promising a celebration of their music and legacy.

The cancellation follows similar moves by other major artists, including Post Malone and Meghan Trainor, who have also scaled back or postponed U.S. shows in recent months.

Industry observers suggest that high ticket prices and the decision to book large arenas instead of smaller venues may have contributed to the weak sales in North America.

Known for hits such as “Buttons,” “Don’t Cha,” and “I Don’t Need a Man,” the Pussycat Dolls enjoyed major success in Europe during their peak years—a trend that appears to be continuing as they prepare for their return to the stage.