World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show: Shakira, BTS, Madonna Dazzle MetLife

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final halftime show made history on Sunday night, delivering an unprecedented star-studded spectacle at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey that drew comparisons to the Super Bowl. The show, curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin, brought together some of the biggest names in global music for a performance that mixed football celebration with a powerful advocacy message.

The Performers

The lineup was nothing short of extraordinary. Colombian superstar Shakira, synonymous with the World Cup since her iconic Waka Waka performance, opened the show to thunderous applause. South Korean group BTS followed with a high-energy set, while pop icons Justin Bieber and Madonna also took to the stage. Additional performances came from Robbie Williams, Jennifer Hudson, Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel leading the PS22 Chorus, and even a surprise appearance from the Muppets of Sesame Street.

"This was the greatest halftime show in football history. FIFA has crossed into Super Bowl territory." — OutKick Sports

The Message Behind the Music

The show was tied to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aiming to raise USD 100 million to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children worldwide. FIFA has partnered with Global Citizen to leverage the World Cup's enormous global audience for social impact.

Mixed Reactions

While the show was spectacular in scale, it drew mixed reactions. Many fans praised the ambition and energy, celebrating the historic first halftime show in World Cup final history. Others questioned whether the entertainment spectacle detracted from the sporting occasion. Some social media users noted it was the first time a FIFA World Cup Final had featured a formal halftime entertainment show, a tradition long associated with the NFL's Super Bowl.

Regardless of opinion, the 2026 World Cup halftime show will be remembered as a landmark moment for football's global reach, broadcast to an estimated audience of over one billion viewers in more than 200 countries. The full entertainment lineup reflected the tournament's North American hosts — the United States, Canada and Mexico — and their deep connections to global pop culture.