Rabat – The 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina made history on Sunday by featuring the first full-scale halftime show staged during a FIFA World Cup final.
Madonna, BTS, Shakira and Justin Bieber were the main headliners at New York New Jersey Stadium, with Burna Boy, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus also appearing during the performance.
Coldplay joined the children’s choir, while the show also featured Emmanuel Kelly, Uganda’s Ghetto Kids and characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets, including Kermit and Miss Piggy. The lineup was curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.
Madonna arrives with Ronaldo and Ronaldinho
The show began with one of its most memorable entrances as Madonna arrived on the pitch in a small vehicle driven by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo Nazário and Ronaldinho.
The appearance immediately connected the musical event with World Cup history and produced one of the night’s most widely discussed images.
The performance then moved into a playful football-themed section featuring Animal from The Muppets on drums during “Seven Nation Army,” a song that has become closely associated with stadium crowds.
BTS followed with an energetic performance of their global hit “Dynamite,” receiving one of the strongest reactions from supporters inside the stadium.
Shakira and Burna Boy perform World Cup anthem
Shakira and Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy performed “Dai Dai,” their official song for the 2026 World Cup.
Their section combined Latin and African influences and included the Ghetto Kids dance group, reinforcing the international identity FIFA wanted for the show.
Justin Bieber also delivered a brief solo appearance, while reports from the stadium noted that he improvised part of his performance.
Dudamel brought a classical element to the production, working with orchestral musicians, while Coldplay and the PS22 Chorus helped carry the show’s message about children, education and access to sport.
The musical performance itself lasted approximately 11 minutes, but the complete halftime interval was extended to around 25 to 30 minutes to allow crews to install and remove the stage and protective covering placed over the pitch.
The production was designed in the style of a Super Bowl halftime show, combining music, choreography, celebrity appearances and visual effects within a tightly controlled live broadcast.
The performers reportedly appeared without charging a performance fee, with the event supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. The initiative aims to improve children’s access to education and football opportunities around the world.
