Pakistan, Sept. 18 -- Madonna is set to open the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards with her first live performance at the ceremony in more than two decades.

CBS and MTV jointly announced Wednesday that the pop icon will kick off the show live from Los Angeles on Sunday, September 27, marking her first VMAs performance since 2003, when she famously kissed both Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera during an opening medley of Like a Virgin and Hollywood.

Madonna arrives at this year's ceremony as its most-nominated artist, with a career-high 11 nominations, including Video of the Year for Confessions II - The Film, Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for Bring Your Love.

Her latest album, Confessions II, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 2...