burger menu icon
Programs
Newscasts
Live
OneTV Logo
OneFM Logo
Sports

Madonna, Shakira, BTS to Headline First World Cup Final Half-Time Show

Madonna, Shakira and K-pop megastars BTS will headline a Super Bowl-style half-time show at the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, FIFA said Thursday.Coldplay's Chris Martin is curating the show, which is a first for a football World Cup final but has raised concerns about how long half-time will be.The biggest-ever World Cup, with 48 teams, kicks off on June 11 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced in March last year that there would be "the first-ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final".He did not say at the time who would be performing or how long the show would last."This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world," he said on Instagram.The move mirrors the show held during the final of the 2024 Copa America in Miami, when Colombian star Shakira performed at half-time at the Hard Rock Stadium.There was also a half-time show at last year's FIFA Club World Cup final, also at MetLife Stadium, which stretched the break in excess of the regulation 15 minutes.Infantino added that FIFA also planned to "take over" New York's Times Square on the final weekend of the World Cup.The half-time extravaganza will support FIFA's Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative working to raise $100 million for children worldwide during the World Cup.Shakira last week teased the new official song for the World Cup, releasing a brief video of the track filmed at Brazil's iconic Maracana Stadium.The singer -- who also created the 2010 World Cup anthem "Waka Waka" -- announced the song, titled "Dai Dai" in a post on her Instagram account.In the 67-second video, Shakira appears on the pitch at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, where she performed in a free concert at the city's Copacabana Beach before two million people.Holding the "Trionda", the official match ball of the 2026 World Cup, Shakira performed excerpts of the song in English, joined by dancers dressed in the colors of teams including the United States and Colombia.The song was produced with Nigerian artist Burna Boy and is set for official release on Thursday. The clip, also shared by the FIFA World Cup account, ends with the message: "We're ready!"Shakira has a long association with the World Cup, performing at the 2006 and 2014 World Cup finals in addition to producing "Waka Waka" for the 2010 tournament.

14-05-2026 11:03

Madonna, Shakira, BTS to Headline First World Cup Final Half-Time Show

Madonna, Shakira and K-pop megastars BTS will headline a Super Bowl-style half-time show at the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, FIFA said Thursday.Coldplay's Chris Martin is curating the show, which is a first for a football World Cup final but has raised concerns about how long half-time will be.The biggest-ever World Cup, with 48 teams, kicks off on June 11 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced in March last year that there would be "the first-ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final".He did not say at the time who would be performing or how long the show would last."This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world," he said on Instagram.The move mirrors the show held during the final of the 2024 Copa America in Miami, when Colombian star Shakira performed at half-time at the Hard Rock Stadium.There was also a half-time show at last year's FIFA Club World Cup final, also at MetLife Stadium, which stretched the break in excess of the regulation 15 minutes.Infantino added that FIFA also planned to "take over" New York's Times Square on the final weekend of the World Cup.The half-time extravaganza will support FIFA's Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative working to raise $100 million for children worldwide during the World Cup.Shakira last week teased the new official song for the World Cup, releasing a brief video of the track filmed at Brazil's iconic Maracana Stadium.The singer -- who also created the 2010 World Cup anthem "Waka Waka" -- announced the song, titled "Dai Dai" in a post on her Instagram account.In the 67-second video, Shakira appears on the pitch at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, where she performed in a free concert at the city's Copacabana Beach before two million people.Holding the "Trionda", the official match ball of the 2026 World Cup, Shakira performed excerpts of the song in English, joined by dancers dressed in the colors of teams including the United States and Colombia.The song was produced with Nigerian artist Burna Boy and is set for official release on Thursday. The clip, also shared by the FIFA World Cup account, ends with the message: "We're ready!"Shakira has a long association with the World Cup, performing at the 2006 and 2014 World Cup finals in addition to producing "Waka Waka" for the 2010 tournament.

14-05-2026 11:03

FIFA chief wishes Iran ‘the very best’ ahead of the FIFA World Cup

Gianni Infantino has wished the Iranian football team “the very best” for the upcoming World Cup in North America.“I wish 🇮🇷 IR Iran the very best as they embark on their fourth successive FIFA World Cup campaign,” Infantino wrote in a social media post.Iran will play their first match against New Zealand on June 15 in California, US.Iran’s Football Federation earlier asked FIFA to relocate its fixtures to Mexico over security concerns amid the war. However, FIFA rejected the plea, stating that logistics could not be changed this close to the tournament.

10-05-2026 13:34

FIFA to review ticket strategy for 2030 World Cup

Speaking to reporters after the conclusion of the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom said high ticket prices for this year's tournament reflected "the reality of the market in North America.""I will always have understanding for fans and their opinions, but I think there are quite a wide array of ticket prices -- some are cheap, some are more expensive," he said."But of course, you know, we listen, we take into the account the comments, and of course, as for every World Cup, we will review and see how we do it for the next one," Grafstrom added.FIFA has faced searing criticism over soaring ticket prices for this year's World Cup, with fan organization Football Supporters Europe (FSE) branding the pricing structure "extortionate" and a "monumental betrayal" of fans.FSE last month filed a lawsuit with the European Commission targeting FIFA over "excessive ticket prices" for the tournament.FIFA president Gianni Infantino insists ticket prices are simply a consequence of the huge demand."In the US in particular there is this thing called dynamic pricing, meaning the prices will go up or down", depending on the match in question, Infantino has said.FIFA's own ticket resale exchange this week showed four tickets on offer for the July 19 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium for an eye-watering $2 million apiece, according to reports.Other resale platforms commonly show tickets for the World Cup final costing tens of thousands of dollars.Asked on Thursday if he was concerned that anger over ticket prices would harm the legacy of the 2026 World Cup, Grafstrom pointed out that revenues from the World Cup -- estimated to generate up to $13 billion -- would be pumped back into football."I think, you know, the legacy is also what we'll be able to do with the money that it generates," Grafstrom said."This is a true legacy through the (FIFA) Forward program and in order to really develop the game of football in our member associations, and this will have a true impact."

01-05-2026 13:58

World Cup group stage set for yellow card amnesty

Fifa is poised to change the rules around suspensions for accumulated yellow cards at this summer's World Cup.BBC Sport understands world football's governing body is planning to add a second amnesty stage, wiping all yellow cards at the end of the group stage as well as after the quarter-finals.Under current rules a team would play five matches to reach the quarter-finals, and any two bookings in those games would lead to a suspension.The revamped World Cup, with 48 teams instead of 32, includes an extra round and it is felt the jeopardy for a ban is too high.Without a change to the regulations, Fifa fears that many more players would be walking a suspension tightrope by playing six fixtures through to the last eight - and potentially miss a semi-final.It is felt that two cut-offs are fairer - and less likely to result in suspensions for key games - than increasing the number of cards required for a ban to three.The topic is on the agenda for discussion when the Fifa Council meets in Vancouver, Canada on Tuesday.Two bookings will remain the suspension threshold, but the rule change will mean there are only two small pockets of games for players to pick up a ban.It would require cautions in two of the three group games, or in two of the last 32, last 16 and the quarter-finals, to miss a match.

28-04-2026 11:10

{{ article.title }}

{{safeHTML(article.Text)}}

{{ formatCategoryDate(article.publishDate) }}

Article Image

More

FIFA to review ticket strategy for 2030 World Cup

Speaking to reporters after the conclusion of the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom said high ticket prices for this year's tournament reflected "the reality of the market in North America.""I will always have understanding for fans and their opinions, but I think there are quite a wide array of ticket prices -- some are cheap, some are more expensive," he said."But of course, you know, we listen, we take into the account the comments, and of course, as for every World Cup, we will review and see how we do it for the next one," Grafstrom added.FIFA has faced searing criticism over soaring ticket prices for this year's World Cup, with fan organization Football Supporters Europe (FSE) branding the pricing structure "extortionate" and a "monumental betrayal" of fans.FSE last month filed a lawsuit with the European Commission targeting FIFA over "excessive ticket prices" for the tournament.FIFA president Gianni Infantino insists ticket prices are simply a consequence of the huge demand."In the US in particular there is this thing called dynamic pricing, meaning the prices will go up or down", depending on the match in question, Infantino has said.FIFA's own ticket resale exchange this week showed four tickets on offer for the July 19 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium for an eye-watering $2 million apiece, according to reports.Other resale platforms commonly show tickets for the World Cup final costing tens of thousands of dollars.Asked on Thursday if he was concerned that anger over ticket prices would harm the legacy of the 2026 World Cup, Grafstrom pointed out that revenues from the World Cup -- estimated to generate up to $13 billion -- would be pumped back into football."I think, you know, the legacy is also what we'll be able to do with the money that it generates," Grafstrom said."This is a true legacy through the (FIFA) Forward program and in order to really develop the game of football in our member associations, and this will have a true impact."

01-05-2026 13:58

FIFA chief wishes Iran ‘the very best’ ahead of the FIFA World Cup

Gianni Infantino has wished the Iranian football team “the very best” for the upcoming World Cup in North America.“I wish 🇮🇷 IR Iran the very best as they embark on their fourth successive FIFA World Cup campaign,” Infantino wrote in a social media post.Iran will play their first match against New Zealand on June 15 in California, US.Iran’s Football Federation earlier asked FIFA to relocate its fixtures to Mexico over security concerns amid the war. However, FIFA rejected the plea, stating that logistics could not be changed this close to the tournament.

10-05-2026 13:34

Madonna, Shakira, BTS to Headline First World Cup Final Half-Time Show

Madonna, Shakira and K-pop megastars BTS will headline a Super Bowl-style half-time show at the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, FIFA said Thursday.Coldplay's Chris Martin is curating the show, which is a first for a football World Cup final but has raised concerns about how long half-time will be.The biggest-ever World Cup, with 48 teams, kicks off on June 11 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced in March last year that there would be "the first-ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final".He did not say at the time who would be performing or how long the show would last."This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world," he said on Instagram.The move mirrors the show held during the final of the 2024 Copa America in Miami, when Colombian star Shakira performed at half-time at the Hard Rock Stadium.There was also a half-time show at last year's FIFA Club World Cup final, also at MetLife Stadium, which stretched the break in excess of the regulation 15 minutes.Infantino added that FIFA also planned to "take over" New York's Times Square on the final weekend of the World Cup.The half-time extravaganza will support FIFA's Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative working to raise $100 million for children worldwide during the World Cup.Shakira last week teased the new official song for the World Cup, releasing a brief video of the track filmed at Brazil's iconic Maracana Stadium.The singer -- who also created the 2010 World Cup anthem "Waka Waka" -- announced the song, titled "Dai Dai" in a post on her Instagram account.In the 67-second video, Shakira appears on the pitch at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, where she performed in a free concert at the city's Copacabana Beach before two million people.Holding the "Trionda", the official match ball of the 2026 World Cup, Shakira performed excerpts of the song in English, joined by dancers dressed in the colors of teams including the United States and Colombia.The song was produced with Nigerian artist Burna Boy and is set for official release on Thursday. The clip, also shared by the FIFA World Cup account, ends with the message: "We're ready!"Shakira has a long association with the World Cup, performing at the 2006 and 2014 World Cup finals in addition to producing "Waka Waka" for the 2010 tournament.

14-05-2026 11:03

After Two Surgeries and Four Rounds of Chemotherapy, Sébastien Haller Makes His Dorussia Dortmund Debut

Ben Church wrote this article in CNN:Sébastien Haller savored the “amazing” opportunity to play his first game for Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday after testicular cancer sidelined the striker for six months.The 28-year-old underwent two surgeries and four rounds of chemotherapy after receiving his diagnosis in July having just signed for his new club.He eventually made his debut in the second half of Dortmund’s 5-1 win against Fortuna Düsseldorf in Tuesday’s friendly match.“It was an amazing moment on the pitch. I received lots of applause and a lot of messages. I spoke with my teammates and the opposition,” he told reporters.“I finally wore the BVB shirt for the first time after six months. I was really delighted to play because I couldn’t do so immediately after my transfer.”The German Bundesliga returns later this month after the winter break, with teams now preparing for the restart.Dortmund, which plays Augsburg in its first match back on January 22, currently sits sixth in the table and Haller is relishing the chance to finally help his team.“Playing is a much better feeling than training and running through the woods. I’ve missed this feeling,” Haller added.“I would like to stay fit until the end of the season and play as many minutes as I can. Perhaps, I might even get some more minutes in the next friendly.”‘Very special moment’The Ivory Coast international scored 47 goals in 66 games for his former club Ajax during an 18 month spell, 11 of which came in the Champions League.He signed for Dortmund on July 6 but had begun to feel unwell during a preseason training camp in Switzerland later that month.Head coach Edin Terzic said that, after Haller’s difficult year, he was proud to see the striker finally wear the Dortmund shirt.“It was a very special moment for Seb and his family, but for us too,” Terzic told reporters.“It was the first time that he was wearing a Borussia Dortmund shirt rather than a training top. We’re proud that he has taken this path and that we could experience this today.”Haller’s American teammate Gio Reyna has hopes that Haller’s return can help inspire the team to improve performances after the restart.“Sébastien’s comeback was amazing. We’re delighted that he’s back,” Reyna told reporters.“He’s such a good guy; he works hard. You immediately see his quality on pitch. He brings something new to our game.”

14-01-2023 15:17

{{ article.title }}

{{safeHTML(article.Text)}}

{{ formatCategoryDate(article.publishDate) }}

Article Image

More