Billboard.com
Music and football collided on one of the world’s biggest stages as FIFA debuted its first-ever halftime show during the 2026 World Cup Final, transforming the championship match into a fast-paced celebration of global pop culture.
Held at New York New Jersey Stadium before the second half of the Spain-Argentina final, the approximately 11-minute production assembled an eclectic lineup that spanned generations and genres, leaving something for everyone. Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira, Burna Boy, Coldplay’s Chris Martin and conductor Gustavo Dudamel all took part in the performance, alongside musicians from the New York Philharmonic, Venezuela’s Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, the PS22 Chorus and appearances by the Muppets.
Madonna opened the show with a performance of “Music,” accompanied by longtime collaborator Stuart Price, while Brazilian football icons Ronaldo and Ronaldinho made a surprise entrance. Dudamel followed with an orchestral rendition of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” blending classical performance with stadium-scale production, making for a unique experience.
BTS injected the halftime spectacle with synchronized choreography during “Dynamite,” before Justin Bieber shifted the mood with an acoustic performance of “Everything Hallelujah,” offering one of the show’s few quieter moments.
The emotional high point came when Shakira and Burna Boy performed “Dai Dai,” the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Joined by Uganda’s Ghetto Kids and a multinational ensemble of dancers, the performance celebrated the tournament’s global reach and quickly became one of the night’s standout moments.
The show concluded with Chris Martin joining the PS22 Chorus for “We Dance,” as the evening’s performers returned to the field alongside Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. Fireworks erupted above the stadium while the stage formed the word “LOVE,” bringing the inaugural halftime production to an energetic close.
Long a defining feature of the Super Bowl, the halftime show has now made its debut at international football’s biggest event. Hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, diversity is a cornerstone of the celebration, even in its closing moments.
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