Madonna is a global pop icon and businesswoman shaping music, fashion and film for over 40 years.
A debut play, Sanctuary, has won the Leodis Prize, funding a first production at Edinburgh Fringe and potential future life in London. Sparrow, the 32-year-old casting director, wrote Shielded by personal history and rural queerness, the work charts encounters around a Suffolk hospice plan from the early 1990s.
The FIFA World Cup final half-time show, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin and featuring Madonna, Shakira and BTS among others, has drawn global attention for potentially extending the interval beyond the standard 15 minutes. Broadcasters are weighing full coverage against game analysis, amid debate over safety and the event’s place in football’s tradition.
Spain and Argentina will meet in the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, marking the first back-to-back title chase by a team since 1962. Messi faces Yamal in a generational clash as Spain seek a second title and Argentina pursues a historic repeat.
France and Spain reach the World Cup 2026 final four after wins in Dallas, while Argentina and England prepare for a high-stakes semi-final in Atlanta. The weekend schedule includes the final in New York, a first-time official half-time show, and a boxing of clashes over entertainment and security. Experts weigh in on odds and potential outcomes.
A slate of veteran rock performances delivers raw presence and genre-spanning set-pieces. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts fuse old hits with newer material, while critics note a fearless stage presence that underscores the enduring pull of classic punk energy.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 closing ceremony has been announced, with performances from Post Malone (closing ceremony headliner), Jennifer Hudson (US national anthem), Tom Cruise making a special appearance, and a slate of other stars including Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, Shakira and BTS. The event will precede the final in New Jersey, with Chris Martin curating the halftime show. IShowSpeed is set to perform a World Cup track; the ceremony aims to celebrate the 48-team tournament across three host countries.