BTS, Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber, Coldplay light up World Cup halftime show
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup final featured FIFA's first official halftime show, bringing together music stars Madonna, BTS, Shakira, Justin Bieber, Coldplay, and more.
Music superstars Madonna, BTS, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and Coldplay headlined the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show, turning football's biggest stage into a global music spectacle before Spain defeated Argentina in the 2026 final.
The roughly 12-minute performance brought together an international lineup that also included Burna Boy, with Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho making special appearances. The show featured a tribute to late football icon Pelé and concluded with Coldplay performing alongside New York's PS22 Chorus and characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets.
Organizers said the halftime show was staged to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative that helps provide education and access to sports for underserved children worldwide.
Before kickoff, Jennifer Hudson performed the United States national anthem, while Tom Cruise welcomed fans with a speech highlighting football's power to unite people across cultures. Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, Laura Pausini, Post Malone, and streamer IShowSpeed were also among the personalities who appeared during the pre-match festivities.
The halftime entertainment extended the match break to more than 27 minutes, making it the longest halftime in FIFA World Cup final history. The decision sparked discussion ahead of the match, as the Laws of the Game generally allow a maximum 15-minute halftime interval, with some raising concerns about its potential impact on players. Despite the debate, the performance marked a historic first for the tournament, drawing comparisons to the Super Bowl's signature halftime show.
