Janet Jackson -- Performing at Major Sports Event ... Will Wardrobe Function?

Hold on to your nipple shields ... 'cause Janet Jackson is returning as the main performer at a major sporting event -- 12 years after the legendary wardrobe malfunction at Super Bowl 38.

Jackson has been booked as the headliner on March 26 at the Dubai World Cup -- the world's richest horse race.

"I am excited to perform for the global audience at this year's Dubai World Cup," Jackson said in a statement.

Here's the thing ... public nudity is extremely frowned upon in Dubai. According to the Gulf News, indecent exposure is punishable by AT LEAST 6 months in jail.

So ... let's double check that wardrobe this time around.