For nearly a century, the FIFA World Cup final has been defined by football alone. In 2026, however, FIFA introduced a new chapter in the tournament’s history by staging its first official halftime show during the World Cup final, blending sport and global entertainment in a way never seen before.
The performance took place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where millions of fans around the world were watching the tournament’s biggest match. Inspired by the popularity of the Super Bowl halftime show, FIFA’s initiative marked a significant shift in how the World Cup final is presented to a global audience.
The approximately 11-minute production was curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in collaboration with Global Citizen. It was produced by Live Nation and Done + Dusted, while renowned live-event director Hamish Hamilton oversaw the creative execution. To accommodate the performance, the traditional halftime break was slightly extended.
The event featured an impressive lineup of internationally acclaimed artists, including Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Justin Bieber and Nigerian Grammy Award-winning singer Burna Boy. Their performances transformed the stadium into a global entertainment stage while celebrating music, culture and unity.
One of the night’s most memorable moments came when Shakira and Burna Boy reunited to perform “Dai Dai,” the official song of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Their energetic performance received an enthusiastic response from fans inside the stadium and viewers across the globe.
BTS thrilled audiences with a performance of their worldwide hit “Dynamite,” while Justin Bieber delivered a more intimate set that showcased his signature pop style. Madonna also captivated spectators with a high-energy performance that highlighted her decades of experience as one of the world’s most influential entertainers.
Beyond the headline acts, the show also featured conductor Gustavo Dudamel, musicians from the New York Philharmonic and Venezuela’s Simón BolÃvar Symphony Orchestra, the PS22 Chorus, Uganda’s Ghetto Kids, singer Emmanuel Kelly, and appearances by beloved Sesame Street and The Muppets characters, creating a celebration that appealed to audiences of all ages.
More than just entertainment, the halftime show was designed to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative seeking to raise $100 million to expand access to education and football opportunities for children worldwide. Organizers revealed that participating artists volunteered their performances without requesting appearance fees, demonstrating their support for the campaign.
Before kickoff, the tournament also concluded with a star-studded closing ceremony featuring performances by Post Malone, Swae Lee, Jennifer Hudson, Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini. The ceremony was further highlighted by appearances from internet personality IShowSpeed and Hollywood actor Tom Cruise.
FIFA’s decision to introduce an official halftime show signals a new era for the World Cup, reflecting the organization’s ambition to combine elite football with world-class entertainment while promoting meaningful global initiatives. Whether the halftime show becomes a permanent tradition remains to be seen, but its successful debut has already become one of the defining moments of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
