For the first time in its history, the FIFA World Cup delivered a halftime show worthy of the planet’s biggest sporting events. Between grand musical performances, spectacular visual effects, and world-renowned guests, the New York New Jersey Stadium turned into a vast open-air stage. Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Justin Bieber, Burna Boy, and several other artists lit up this historic night, choreographed by Chris Martin of Coldplay, before millions of viewers.
A visual recap of these 11 minutes that redefined soccer entertainment and added a new dimension to a final already memorable between Spain and Argentina.
Shakira (Burna Boy and the Ghetto Kids Triplets)
Habituée aux plus grandes scènes internationales, Shakira a une fois de plus enflammé la planète lors du spectacle de la mi-temps de la finale de la Coupe du monde 2026. Vêtue d’une création Roberto Cavalli éclatante, ornée de milliers de cristaux, la star colombienne a livré une performance énergique aux côtés de Burna Boy et des Triplets Ghetto Kids. Ensemble, ils ont interprété «Dai Dai», la chanson officielle du tournoi, dans une mise en scène colorée mêlant danse, rythmes mondiaux et effets visuels spectaculaires.
À 49 ans, Shakira a démontré qu’elle demeure une référence incontournable des grands événements sportifs. Sa présence, son charisme et ses célèbres mouvements de danse ont rapidement transformé le terrain en une immense fête internationale.
Chris Martin (Coldplay)
Chris Martin and Coldplay were the true conductors of the halftime show for the 2026 World Cup final. Rather than monopolizing the spotlight, the British group leveraged its immense fame to support a production designed to bring together artists from all horizons. Chris Martin helped shape the show, ensuring an experience where music, football, and world cultures intersect.
As the centerpiece, Coldplay took the stage to perform “We Dance,” a song created especially for the event. True to their style, the band delivered a luminous performance filled with emotion and positive messages, closing this historic night with a unifying energy.
Ronaldinho, Madonna and Ronaldo
Three legends from two worlds came together to mark the history of the 2026 World Cup final. Ronaldinho and Ronaldo, two of Brazil’s greatest football icons, shared the stage with Madonna, the true queen of pop, in one of the most memorable moments of halftime entertainment. Their appearance symbolized the union of sport and music before millions of viewers around the world.
Smiles, camaraderie and a spectacular staging made this sequence a tribute to the global influence of these three personalities. Their mere presence electrified the stadium and reminded everyone why they remain, in their respective fields, indispensable figures in popular culture.
Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber delivered one of the show’s most anticipated moments at the 2026 World Cup final halftime. In front of tens of thousands of spectators and a global audience, the Canadian star made a notable return on a stage of such magnitude. True to his style, he offered a performance blending emotion, energy, and audience connection, reaffirming that he remains one of the most popular artists of his generation.
His presence added a Canadian touch to this global celebration, while reminding his influence in the music industry for more than fifteen years. His appearance quickly sparked social media reactions, where fans hailed this memorable moment of the night.
BTS
RM, Jin, SUGA, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook delivered one of the most electrifying moments of the very first World Cup halftime show in history. Reunited on a global stage after solo projects and a reunion as a group, the seven members of BTS lit up the New York New Jersey Stadium with an explosive take on “Dynamite.” Their perfectly synchronized choreography, contagious energy, and stage presence had the roughly 80,000 spectators on their feet in no time.
Clad in football-inspired outfits, they once again demonstrated why they are among the planet’s most influential artists. Their performance was hailed as one of the highlights of this historic final.
The Muppets
The Muppets added a healthy dose of nostalgia and whimsy to the very first World Cup halftime show. Led by the exuberant Animal, they rocked the stadium with a high-energy rendition of “Seven Nation Army,” conducted by the maestro Gustavo Dudamel.
Later, Elmo and Cookie Monster joined Kermit, Miss Piggy and other iconic characters for the grand finale alongside Chris Martin and the PS22 choir. Their presence bridged generations, offering a moment that was both playful and unifying, making the crowd smile across ages. A splash of magic that perfectly complemented this historic evening.
Jason Sudeikis
Jason Sudeikis caused a surprise appearance as Ted Lasso, the character who won over millions of soccer fans thanks to the popular TV series. Alongside Brendan Hunt, aka Coach Beard, he delivered a brief humorous segment before Justin Bieber took the stage.
Staying in line with the character’s optimistic spirit, Ted Lasso offered the Canadian singer some inspirational words, while Coach Beard waved a “Beliebe” sign—a nod to the show’s famous “Believe” poster. This unexpected cameo was warmly welcomed by the crowd and added a touch of humor and nostalgia to this historic World Cup final show.
