2026 World Cup Final Features Historic Halftime Show With Madonna and BTS

Chris Martin Curated the 2026 World Cup Final Halftime Show

A High-Profile Production at New York New Jersey Stadium

The 2026 World Cup final was historic, with Argentina seeking to become the first repeat champion since Brazil in 1962. The event was held at the New York New Jersey Stadium, serving as the culmination of the most attended World Cup in tournament history. While soccer traditionally does not feature halftime shows, FIFA and Global Citizen packed an ambitious lineup into an 11-minute window while Spain and Argentina were locked at 0-0, reorganizing in the locker rooms. The show was curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, who also participated in the finale.

Madonna and Gustavo Dudamel Opened the Pitch Performance

Performances by Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, and Shakira

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The show opened with a pre-recorded segment featuring Madonna, who was transported through the stadium’s underground tunnels in a dune buggy driven by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. She performed a new version of her 2000 hit “Music,” infused with elements of “Disco Inferno” and “Danceteria,” a track from her fresh release Confessions II. Once on the pitch, Madonna handed the baton to conductor Gustavo Dudamel. He led musicians from the New York Philharmonic and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, alongside Iranian violinist Bijan Mortazavi and The Muppets’ rock group, The Electric Mayhem, in a rendition of Seven Nation Army.

For more on this story, see Lionel Scaloni Casts Doubt on Future After Argentina Lose 2026 World Cup Final.

K-pop sensations BTS followed, performing their hit “Dynamite.” Their routine included flawless air kicks and was woven into a dance sequence that featured a lead-in from a video of Norway’s rowing chant. The performance was brief, as the group had been in Paris less than 24 hours prior. The most overt nod to American soccer culture followed when actor Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt appeared on the pitch in character as Coach Ted Lasso and Coach Beard from their Apple TV series. They provided a pep talk to Justin Bieber, who then performed a soulful rendition of his 2025 song Everything Hallelujah. Bieber adjusted the lyrics of the ballad to incorporate the word “World Cup.”

This follows our earlier report, Lionel Scaloni Contemplates Argentina Future After 2026 World Cup Final Loss.

Shakira and Burna Boy Performed Tournament Song Dai Dai

Following Bieber, Shakira and Burna Boy performed “Dai Dai,” the official song of the tournament. They were surrounded by backup dancers and Uganda’s Ghetto Kids, who danced in a sea of yellow costumes. The show concluded with a unifying moment featuring the PS 22 Chorus, a choir comprising fourth and fifth graders from Staten Island. They were joined by Chris Martin, more Muppets, and Australian singer-songwriter Emmanuel Kelly, who debuted “We Dance,” an original song written by Coldplay.

ESPN Rated Madonna and BTS Performances Following the Final

Critical and Audience Reception

Reaction to the inaugural halftime show was varied. Some viewers compared it favorably to the Super Bowl halftime show from Bad Bunny, noting that the World Cup performance had more energy and was intelligible. However, others criticized the production. The show was part of an 11-minute mega-mix that brought together some of the biggest names in music. While ESPN rated Madonna’s performance a 9/10 and BTS an 8/10, the outlet noted that not every act landed as successfully as the next.

Read also: Spain Defeats Argentina to Win 2026 World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium.

The halftime show remains a point of discussion regarding the future of the sport’s presentation. As Argentina and Spain played, the halftime show served as a centerpiece for a tournament that has become one of the most expensive sporting events ever. Despite the complexities of managing a performance of this scale during a scoreless final, the inclusion of global stars like Madonna, Shakira, and BTS ensured the halftime show became a historic component of the 2026 final.

Sources: ESPN, Fox News.