The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final delivered a historic moment beyond football as Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, BTS, and Coldplay headlined the first ever World Cup final half time show. Held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the star studded performance brought together music, football, and charity in front of a global audience during the final between Spain and Argentina.
The spectacular 12 minute performance extended the traditional half time break to 27 minutes, marking a significant change for football’s biggest match. Inspired by the Super Bowl entertainment format, the show combined live music, cultural performances, and tributes to football legends while supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
The event opened with Madonna, who arrived beneath the stadium in a vehicle driven by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho before performing one of her biggest hits. The performance then transitioned into a powerful orchestral version of Seven Nation Army, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel and featuring musicians from the United States, Venezuela, and Iran.
Global K pop sensation BTS energized the crowd with a football themed version of Dynamite, followed by a surprise appearance from Ted Lasso stars Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt. Justin Bieber delivered an emotional performance before Shakira and Burna Boy performed the official World Cup anthem, accompanied by dancers from Uganda.
The show also featured a heartfelt tribute to Brazilian football legend Pele, celebrating his lasting impact on the sport. To conclude the performance, Coldplay, together with Sesame Street, The Muppets, and the PS22 Chorus from New York, performed a memorable finale focused on promoting education and opportunity for children worldwide.
Organisers described the event as one of the largest global entertainment productions since Live Aid, with FIFA expecting billions of viewers. The performance also helped raise funds for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which supports education and sports programmes for underprivileged children in dozens of countries around the world.
