The FIFA World Cup entered a new era of entertainment as the first-ever full-scale halftime show at a men’s World Cup final was staged during the 2026 title clash between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The star-studded performance brought together some of the biggest names in global music, transforming football’s traditional halftime break into a spectacle similar to the famous Super Bowl shows. Madonna, Shakira and South Korean group BTS were among the headline performers, while Justin Bieber, Burna Boy and Coldplay’s Chris Martin also appeared during the historic event.
Madonna opened the show with one of her popular hits before BTS energised the crowd with “Dynamite.” Justin Bieber delivered a more intimate performance with vocals and guitar, while Shakira and Burna Boy performed the tournament anthem. The Muppets also made a surprise appearance, adding a playful element to the show.
The performance ended with Chris Martin, Shakira, a children’s choir and other artists coming together for the finale. A large “Love” message was displayed across the field, underlining the event’s themes of unity, education and global cooperation.
The programme was curated by Martin and organised by FIFA in partnership with Global Citizen. It was also connected to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise money to expand access to education and football for children around the world. FIFA had pledged to donate a portion of ticket revenue from the tournament to the initiative.
The show marked a major departure from football tradition. World Cup halftime intervals have generally been limited to 15 minutes, allowing players to rest and coaches to discuss tactics. However, the 2026 final break was extended to accommodate the musical production, prompting mixed reactions from supporters and former footballers.
While many fans praised the performances and the global appeal of the event, others questioned whether such an elaborate show was suitable for football’s biggest match. Reports said the extended break lasted longer than originally expected, raising concerns about its possible effect on the players.
Despite the debate, the halftime show has now secured its place in World Cup history. The success of the event could encourage FIFA to make major halftime entertainment a regular feature of future finals.
With millions watching across the world, the spectacle showed FIFA’s ambition to present the World Cup final not only as football’s greatest match but also as one of the biggest global entertainment events.g
