In a historic departure from tradition, the FIFA World Cup introduced a star-studded halftime show during its 2026 final, drawing inspiration from American football spectacles. The event, which took place on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium, also known as MetLife Stadium, saw defending champion Argentina face off against Spain in the tournament's 104th and final match. The ambitious 11-minute production required a significant logistical adjustment, as FIFA extended the halftime interval to nearly 30 minutes from the standard 15 to accommodate the seven-minute setup. This change, approved by the International Football Association Board, faced criticism from some soccer purists.
The performance was a collaborative effort featuring a diverse lineup of international music stars, including Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and BTS. The show opened with a pre-taped segment of Madonna, followed by a live appearance on the field where she performed "Music" accompanied by soccer icons Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Ronaldo Nazário. Her appearance highlighted a recurring critique of the show: the challenge of balancing a massive roster of global stars within a limited timeframe. The spectacle continued as The Muppets led a rendition of The White Stripes’ "Seven Nation Army," conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, which served as a transition for BTS to perform their hit "Dynamite." The group showcased their signature choreography alongside dozens of dancers, though the brief two-minute window limited the scope of their performance.
The production also featured a cameo from Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt, who appeared as their "Ted Lasso" characters, Lasso and Coach Beard, to introduce Justin Bieber. While their appearance served as a thematic tie-in to the celebration of soccer, their presence raised questions about the necessity of additional guests in an already crowded lineup. Bieber provided a change in tempo with a live performance of his ballad "Everything Hallelujah," which featured lyrics adapted for the World Cup. The inclusion of live vocals was noted, though the ballad felt somewhat out of place within the otherwise high-energy production.
The grand finale included Colombian superstar Shakira, who performed the official tournament song, "Dai Dai," alongside Burna Boy. The performance featured a rhythm-heavy, hip-gyrating routine that highlighted the song, which has been breaking chart records since its release in May. Coldplay’s Chris Martin, who helped produce the show in partnership with Global Citizen, was also present, joining the New York City-based PS22 Chorus for a performance of "We Dance" as the field banner displayed a "Love" insignia.
The event served as a high-profile platform for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aiming to raise $100 million to improve access to education and football for children globally. Funding for this project is supported by a $1 donation from every ticket sold for 2026 tournament matches, with over $50 million raised to date. Each of the featured performers is currently active in their respective careers; Madonna recently released her "Confessions II" album, while BTS is engaged in a massive world stadium tour. Shakira, a long-time World Cup ambassador, previously performed at the 2010 tournament in South Africa. Meanwhile, Justin Bieber and his wife, Hailey, recently made headlines for their $12 million property acquisition in Manhattan’s West Village, a home previously owned by real-estate developer Steven Brauser.
