In a historic first, FIFA has picked Shakira, Madonna, and K-pop powerhouses BTS to perform during the 2026 World Cup final halftime show. The leading governing body of soccer announced the star-studded lineup on May 14 on Instagram.
The July 19 final at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium promises to be a major draw for the millions expected to tune in worldwide. Chris Martin of Coldplay is curating the spectacle, while nonprofit Global Citizen will produce it as a fundraiser for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
The tournament itself kicks off June 11 in Mexico City, with matches scheduled throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
As the start of the FIFA World Cup approaches, the lead-up has created a lot of questions and tension around the tournament. For instance, how, exactly, did we get here, and what do we know about the US' readiness for the moment?
With concerns being raised about visas, infrastructure, and poor security technology, among other issues, is America prepared enough to welcome millions of soccer fans, or is it on course to score an embarrassing own goal?
Click through the following gallery and see if the Unites States is set for soccer's big moment, and to learn more about the things you need to know.