The 2026 FIFA World Cup came to a close today (July 19) after over a month of intense gameplay. But before Spain beat out defending champion Argentina for the win with an overtime goal, another major spectacle was in order: the first-ever official World Cup Halftime Show. The inaugural event featured performances from Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Justin Bieber, and the Muppets. (Yes, Miss Piggy donned a pink jersey.) Watch the 11-minute show in full here.
The game was tied 0-0 tie at the conclusion of the first half, leaving tensions high at MetLife Stadium. Good thing, then, that the over 80,000 fans in attendance were treated to one of nature’s great stress-relievers: a Madonna performance. The pop legend kicked off the show with “Music,” the title track of her 2000 album, as Brazilian soccer legends (and former World Cup champions) Ronaldo and Ronaldinho escorted her onto the field. Her brief set transitioned into a number from another iconic, one-name act: the Muppets, who laid down a cover of the White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army.” The troupe was led by Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel, who later led both the LAPhil and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela in an orchestral interlude.
Once Janice, Animal, and co. wrapped up their number, it was BTS time: the K-pop juggernauts appeared on the field to perform their hit single “Dynamite.” Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt popped up in character as Ted Lasso and Coach Beard to introduce Justin Bieber who, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, performed the SWAG track “Everything Hallelujah,” changing the lyrics of the song to “World Cup Hallelujah” to mark the moment.
Next up were Shakira and Burna Boy, who gave the halftime show its denouement with a performance of their official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem “Dai Dai.” For the halftime show’s big finish, Chris Martin, Shakira, and the Muppets performed “We Believe” alongside a children’s chorus, as the world “Love”—with an “O” stylized to look like Earth—was broadcast onto the field.
Ahead of the game, even more artists brought their voices to the final’s opening ceremony. Jennifer Hudson delivered a rousing rendition of the National Anthem, before Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini came together to perform a number from the 2026 FIFA World Cup soundtrack, “Desire.” Post Malone also took the championship field in East Rutherford, New Jersey, donning a t-shirt reading “I Just Hope Both Teams Have Fun” to debut a new song allegedly titled “Chrome Heartbreak” alongside older hits like “Wow.” He concluded his set by bringing out Swae Lee to join him for a performance of their 2018 collaboration “Sunflower.”
For all the artists in attendance, not everyone in the music world was so hot on the halftime show. In an Instagram post shared ahead of the game’s kickoff, the Cure aired some grievances with the performance and FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s characterization of the show as a “groundbreaking spectacle” that will “celebrate football, music and our shared values, ensuring a legacy that transcends the final whistle.” The Cure’s thoughts, per their caption? “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH… #Breadandcircuses #MUGWANK #pleasejustfuckoff.” (We may still be uncertain about the official definition of “mugwank,” but the sentiment came through clear as day.)
