Madonna, BTS and Shakira perform at first-ever World Cup halftime show

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final delivered a historic moment as it hosted the first-ever halftime show, blending global music icons, cultural references, and charitable initiatives in a 27-minute spectacle that overshadowed the match itself. The event, held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, featured performances by Madonna, BTS, Shakira, Justin Bieber, The Muppets, and a host of other international stars, alongside elements of football tradition and social messaging.

The show opened with Madonna, who emerged from a tunnel alongside Brazilian football legends Ronaldo Nazário and Ronaldinho, performing a mash-up of her 2000 hit “Music” and “Disco Inferno.” Dressed in a custom FIFA jacket and riding in an off-road vehicle, she was joined by dancers in roller skates and a disco ball adorned with a soccer-ball pattern. The performance set a high-energy tone, followed by BTS, whose members wore red FIFA jerseys and performed their 2020 hit “Dynamite.” The group’s segment concluded with a fireworks display, marking their first appearance at a World Cup event.

Justin Bieber’s segment was introduced by Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) and Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt), who humorously framed his performance as a “big shot.” Bieber sang an acoustic version of “EVERYTHING HALLELUJAH,” a nod to the show’s theme of unity. Shakira and Nigerian artist Burna Boy then took the stage, performing the World Cup 2026 anthem “Dai Dai” alongside dancers from Uganda’s Ghetto Kids, a group she had promoted through a global dance challenge. The segment featured a tribute to Norway’s Viking Row, with athletes reenacting the iconic rowing tradition.

The halftime show also included a segment led by Gustavo Dudamel, conductor of the New York Philharmonic and Venezuela’s Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, who performed an orchestral version of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” alongside The Muppets’ Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. The event concluded with a collaborative performance by all artists, including the PS22 Chorus, a New York elementary school choir, who sang Coldplay’s unreleased song “We Believe” alongside Chris Martin. The finale featured a visual spectacle of colorful dust explosions and a message of “LOVE” etched into the stadium’s design.

The show was organized by Coldplay’s Chris Martin in partnership with Global Citizen, aiming to raise $100 million for education and football access for youth worldwide. While some critics, including the New York Times, questioned the decision to extend halftime beyond the usual 15 minutes, others praised its entertainment value and production quality. The NPR highlighted the event’s emphasis on “togetherness” and “unity,” though it noted the lack of direct references to the footballing narratives unfolding on the pitch.

The World Cup final itself saw Spain defeat Argentina 1-0 in extra time, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal. The extended halftime break, which included the star-studded performance, drew mixed reactions. While some viewers appreciated the cultural and musical diversity, others felt it disrupted the flow of the match. The halftime show’s legacy, however, lies in its role as a milestone for the World Cup, blending global pop culture with football’s universal appeal.