World Cup Halftime Show 2026: Shakira, BTS and Justin Bieber Ready to Entertain Fans
NEW YORK — Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, and Shakira performed at the first-ever World Cup final halftime show on Sunday at New York New Jersey Stadium, bringing a Super Bowl-style spectacle to the tournament.
Madonna opened with her single “Music,” entering the stadium via a dune buggy driven by Brazilian football greats Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. K-Pop band BTS followed with “Dynamite,” while Bieber slowed the tempo with an acoustic version of “Everything Hallelujah,” changing the final words to “World Cup Hallelujah.” Shakira and Nigeria’s Burna Boy joined for “Dai Dai,” the official song of the 2026 World Cup.
The musical performances lasted 11 minutes, though the entire break extended to about 27 minutes as workers moved equipment on and off the pitch. The halftime show drew some criticism for deviating from the traditional 15-minute interval, though tournament regulations do not explicitly prohibit exceeding that time.
American actors Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt, in character as coaches from the TV show “Ted Lasso,” introduced Bieber to the crowd. The show was one of several American elements added to this year’s tournament, which was co-hosted by the United States.
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