World Cup 2026: A historic halftime show brings music and football together on the biggest stage

The

2026 World Cup final

was not only remembered for

Spain defeating Argentina

and claiming its second star. During

halftime at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey

, FIFA made history by presenting the first halftime show ever held during a World Cup match.

The production aimed to bring the biggest soccer event in the world closer to the format of the planet’s most iconic sporting spectacles, with a show designed to unite different generations and musical styles.

Under the creative direction of Chris Martin, Coldplay’s lead singer

, in collaboration with

Global Citizen

, the stage welcomed some of the biggest names in international music.

The result was a performance filled with contrasts: nostalgic moments, a symphonic experience, the energy of K-pop, a more intimate segment, and a direct connection with World Cup history.

Madonna opened the show by reminding fans why she remains a global icon

The first major impact came from

Madonna

, who emerged from a tunnel before taking over a stage dominated by pink tones and an aesthetic inspired by her legendary visual identity.

The singer performed

“Music,”

one of her biggest hits, in a version blended with elements of

“Disco Inferno,”

accompanied by dancers and a production that paid tribute to some of the most memorable moments of her career.

Her entrance also delivered one of the most talked-about moments of the afternoon:

Madonna arrived on the field in a jeep with the license plate “Maestro,” driven by two Brazilian soccer legends, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho

.

Gustavo Dudamel brought an unexpected symphonic moment to the World Cup final

Just when it seemed the show would continue entirely through a pop-driven format, the stage completely changed direction.

Venezuelan conductor

Gustavo Dudamel took center stage alongside musicians from the New York Philharmonic and Venezuela’s Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra

, creating one of the most unique moments of the performance.

Dudamel conducted a symphonic version of

“Seven Nation Army,”

the iconic song by The White Stripes that has become one of the most recognizable chants in soccer stadiums around the world.

The segment combined the power of a song deeply connected to sports with the elegance of an orchestral performance, while also delivering an unexpected twist with the arrival

of Animal from The Muppets

, who joined the musicians on drums.

BTS turned the field into a global K-pop stage

After the symphonic performance, the rhythm changed once again with the arrival of BTS.

The South Korean group brought a completely different production to MetLife Stadium

, joined by dancers and a choreography designed for a worldwide audience.

BTS performed “Dynamite,” one of their biggest hits

, delivering an energetic performance that electrified the stadium and connected with fans across the globe.

Justin Bieber chose intimacy during a massive production

One of the most discussed moments of the show came with Justin Bieber.

While other artists relied on massive choreography, visual effects, and large-scale production, the Canadian singer took a completely different approach:

he appeared with an acoustic guitar and focused the performance on his voice

Bieber performed

“Everything Hallelujah,”

a song from his album Swag II, in a performance that divided opinions among fans.

Some praised his decision to create a more personal and emotional moment, while others expected a more explosive performance following the energy BTS had delivered minutes earlier.

Shakira once again connected music with World Cup history

The Colombian superstar appeared alongside Burna Boy to perform “Dai Dai,” the official song of the 2026 World Cup

, joined by the

Triplets Ghetto Kids

, who added their signature rhythm and movement to the performance.

With a mix of international sounds and a visual production built around the identity of the tournament, Shakira once again brought together two elements that have accompanied the World Cup for decades: soccer and music.

Chris Martin closed the show with a message of unity

After Shakira and Burna Boy’s performance came the conclusion of the first World Cup halftime show.

Chris Martin appeared alongside the PS22 Chorus

, a children’s choir made up of elementary school students from

Staten Island, New York, to perform “Believe in Love.”

The moment gave the show a deeper meaning with the appearance of

The Muppets characters, including Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, who joined a message created to bring fans from around the world together

As the words “Believe in Love” illuminated the stadium

, FIFA closed a ceremony that aimed to represent more than entertainment: a celebration of passion, unity, and the stories that made the

2026 World Cup an unforgettable event