FIFA World Cup Final halftime show featured Justin Bieber, Madonna, BTS, Shakira, Burna Boy and surprise celebrity appearances before Spain vs Argentina clash
The FIFA World Cup final delivered far more than just football. Before Spain and Argentina returned to the pitch for the second half of their championship showdown at New York New Jersey Stadium, FIFA staged its first-ever World Cup halftime show—an ambitious 11-minute production that brought together some of the biggest names in music, entertainment and sport.
From Madonna opening the performance alongside Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho to surprise appearances by BTS, Justin Bieber, Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso, and a finale led by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, the show transformed the traditional football halftime into a global entertainment event. The performance also served a larger purpose by supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
BTS’s brief cameo alone became one of the most talked-about moments of the night. To know more, read our article BTS just made FIFA World Cup history, and the internet has not stopped talking about it.
Madonna opened the historic FIFA halftime show before a whirlwind of music, football legends, and surprise cameos
The performance began with Madonna making a dramatic entrance through the stadium’s underground tunnels in a golf cart driven by Brazilian football icons Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. She launched the show with a refreshed version of her 2000 hit “Music”, followed by “Danceteria,” a track from her newly released album Confessions II.
The momentum continued with an orchestral performance of “Seven Nation Army,” led by acclaimed conductor Gustavo Dudamel. The orchestra combined musicians from the New York Philharmonic, Venezuela’s Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra and Iranian violinist Bijan Mortazavi. Adding an unexpected twist, The Muppets’ house band, The Electric Mayhem, joined the performance.
BTS then made a brief but memorable appearance, performing a few seconds of their global hit “Dynamite.” According to Rolling Stone, the group’s appearance was especially notable considering they had been in Paris less than 24 hours earlier.
Another surprise followed when actor Jason Sudeikis appeared on the field in character as Coach Ted Lasso, accompanied by Brendan Hunt as Coach Beard. The pair delivered a pep talk to Justin Bieber before the singer took center stage.
Not everyone was won over by the spectacle, however, with at least one prominent musician offering a much less enthusiastic take. To know more, read our piece Liam Gallagher Calls FIFA World Cup 2026 Halftime Show ‘Like a Bad Trip’ After Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS and Shakira Take the Stage.
Bieber then performed “Everything Hallelujah,” continuing a busy year that also included his headline performance at Coachella in April.
The show shifted once again as Shakira and Burna Boy performed “Dai Dai,” the official song of the tournament.
Shakira’s involvement continued a run that started with the tournament’s opening celebrations weeks earlier. To know more, read our article FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony Highlights: Best Moments from All Three Host Nations.
Coldplay’s Chris Martin closed the show as fireworks signaled football’s return
The emotional finale featured the PS 22 Chorus, made up of fourth and fifth grade students from a Staten Island public elementary school. The choir performed “We Dance,” a song written by Coldplay, with frontman Chris Martin joining them on stage.
As the performance concluded, fireworks erupted around the stadium while, according to Rolling Stone, an Argentinian sportscaster shouted, “GOLLLLL.” Within moments, volunteers cleared the field covering, sprinklers resumed watering the pitch, and the players returned for the second half.
Family ties among the sport’s biggest stars also became a viral talking point during the tournament. To know more, read our piece Who Is Gabrielle Braut Haaland? Erling Haaland’s Older Sister Goes Viral at FIFA World Cup 2026 After Fans Spot Incredible Family Resemblance.
FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show at a glance
| Segment | Performers | Highlights |
| Opening | Madonna, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho | Madonna arrived in a golf cart driven by Brazilian football legends and performed “Music” and “Danceteria.” |
| Orchestra | Gustavo Dudamel, New York Philharmonic, Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, Bijan Mortazavi, The Electric Mayhem | Performance of “Seven Nation Army.” |
| Special Performance | BTS | Brief rendition of “Dynamite.” |
| Celebrity Appearance | Jason Sudeikis, Brendan Hunt | Appeared as Ted Lasso and Coach Beard before Justin Bieber’s performance. |
| Solo Performance | Justin Bieber | Performed “Everything Hallelujah.” |
| Tournament Song | Shakira, Burna Boy | Performed official World Cup anthem “Dai Dai.” |
| Grand Finale | PS 22 Chorus, Chris Martin | Closed the show with “We Dance.” |
Shakira celebrated Ghetto Kids while FIFA’s education campaign remained at the heart of the event
Before the final, Shakira shared her excitement on Instagram about having Uganda’s Ghetto Kids “dance with me at the World Cup final.”
Beyond the entertainment, the halftime show supported the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to expand access to education and football for children around the world. More than half of that target has already been raised, with $1 from every World Cup match ticket contributing toward the initiative.
The musical celebrations began even before kickoff. Pregame festivities featured Post Malone as the headline performer, while Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, IShowSpeed and Robbie Williams also appeared. Tom Cruise made a special appearance, and Jennifer Hudson performed the United States national anthem.
The World Cup had already delivered several major musical moments throughout the tournament. Ellie Goulding headlined the quarterfinal halftime show between England and Norway, while the opening ceremony in Mexico City featured Shakira and Burna Boy performing “Dai Dai.”
Earlier in the tournament, Katy Perry joined 10-year-old Norwegian singer Tius Luka for “Wonder” during the opening match between the United States and Paraguay in Los Angeles. Future and Tyla opened that ceremony with “Game Time,” followed by performances from Lisa of Blackpink, Anitta and Rema with “Goals.”
Canada’s opening ceremony also featured an extensive lineup including Michael Bublé, Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Eliana, Jessie Reyez, Noah Fatehi, Sanjoy, Vegedream and William Prince, reinforcing FIFA’s effort to make the 2026 World Cup as much a global music celebration as a sporting spectacle.
With this tournament’s spectacle setting such a high bar, attention has already started turning to where the event might land next. To know more, read our article FIFA World Cup 2038 Host: Why the USA Is Already Emerging as the Strongest Candidate Despite No Official Decision Yet.
Leave a Reply