Star-Studded World Cup Halftime Show Highlights

For the first time in World Cup final history, the halftime show featured a star-studded lineup of performers. The match between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey was marked by a spectacular intermission show.

Performance Highlights

Madonna kicked off the performance with her hit “Music” from the year 2000. She was joined on the field by Brazilian soccer legends Ronaldinho and Ronaldo. The performance included a brief Muppet drum break.

BTS performed their fan-favorite song “Dynamite.” This 2020 hit energized the crowd.

Justin Bieber, introduced by Jason Sudeikis in his Ted Lasso character, slowed things down. He played “Everything Hallelujah,” a track from his 2025 album, with altered lyrics “World Cup Hallelujah.”

Shakira and Burna Boy performed “Dai Dai,” the official song for the tournament. This collaboration was a highlight of the show.

A children’s choir from Staten Island’s P.S. 22 concluded the event with “We Believe.” This anthem featured Chris Martin of Coldplay and Muppets like Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy.

FIFA’s Vision and Execution

FIFA aimed to emulate the cultural success of the Super Bowl halftime show. Some critics expressed concern about disrupting the game’s flow.

The halftime show lasted just under 12 minutes, excluding setup and teardown time, totaling 27 minutes. This exceeded the traditional 15-minute halftime limit, which can be extended with a referee’s permission.

Chris Martin from Coldplay was among the artists selected for the show by Global Citizen, with a focus on promoting educational funding for children.

Global Reactions and Trends

Fans quickly took to social media, causing “Ted Lasso,” Justin Bieber, and the Muppets to trend online. The chorus from P.S. 22 gained attention for their performances at high-profile events including the World Cup.

Gustavo Dudamel conducted the event, merging the New York Philharmonic with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra to perform a tribute to victims of June’s Venezuela earthquake. This tragic event, marked by a 7.5-magnitude quake, resulted in thousands of lives lost.

Artist Contributions

Burna Boy, a celebrated African music star, joined Shakira on stage. He is known for performing at notable events like the N.B.A. All-Star Game and the Champions League final.

Gustavo Dudamel, departing from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, is set to direct the New York Philharmonic. His farewell in Los Angeles involved a series of musical events celebrating his 17-year tenure.