New York New Jersey Stadium hosts star-studded World Cup half-time show
The World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, featured a half-time show with performances from global music artists. The event, which included acts like Madonna, BTS, Shakira, and Justin Bieber, marked the first time in World Cup history that the final paused for musical performances at half-time. This extended half-time show ran for 27 minutes and 22 seconds, making it the longest in World Cup history.
The duration of the half-time show generated discussion, as International Football Association Board (Ifab) rules typically limit player stoppages to a maximum of 15 minutes. The entertainment was curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. The headlining artists represented various regions, with Madonna from the United States, Shakira from Colombia, Justin Bieber from Canada, and BTS from South Korea.
Half-time performances and celebrity appearances
Madonna performed her song ‘Music’ and was joined on stage by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. Shakira, the Colombian pop star, reunited with Nigerian musician Burna Boy on stage. They had previously performed together at the tournament’s opening ceremony in Mexico City. BTS, the K-Pop supergroup, performed their song ‘Dynamite’ as part of their comeback from a three-year music hiatus.
Justin Bieber‘s segment featured him showcasing his vocals and guitar skills. The half-time show also included British rockers Coldplay, Los Angeles Philharmonic music director Gustavo Dudamel, and New York City’s PS22 Chorus, along with characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets. Jason Sudeikis also made an appearance as his character Ted Lasso, delivering a pep talk to Justin Bieber.
Prior to the main match, the closing ceremony featured a range of performances. Jennifer Hudson sang the US national anthem. Other performers included Post Malone, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and streamer IShowSpeed. Tom Cruise also took to the stage to introduce the match, stating, “From every corner of the globe, we have witnessed greatness, and we have shared in moments of joy. Football is a language spoken without words, a force that unites people.”
Many celebrities were spotted in attendance at the final. Among those seen were Kylie Jenner and her partner Timothee Chalamet, as well as Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Other notable personalities included Donald Trump, David Beckham, MrBeast, Winnie Harlow, Odell Beckham Jr., Julia Garner, and Gayle King. David Beckham attended with his wife Victoria and sons Romeo and Cruz. Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were also present, as were Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union.
Pre-match events and reactions
The FIFA World Cup Final 2026 saw Argentina and Spain compete. Ahead of the match, Hoyeon and Carlos Alcaraz presented the Louis Vuitton trophy trunk containing the FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy. Maria Becerra, an Argentinian singer-songwriter, performed the Argentinian national anthem. Mohanlal, an Indian actor and filmmaker, shared on social media that the stadium was buzzing.
The extended half-time show, a new feature for the World Cup, drew comparisons to the NFL Super Bowl‘s entertainment. While some appreciated the spectacle, not all reactions were positive. Former England player Wayne Rooney, part of the commentary team, expressed his opinion, stating, “I like a lot of them artists, but I thought it was crap.”
The event also included performances by Coldplay, who played ‘Believe in Love’ with a children’s choir, and The Muppets‘ house band The Electric Mayhem, who performed ‘Seven Nation Army’. Shakira and Burna Boy performed a version of ‘Dai Dai’, the official anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The closing ceremony also featured Post Malone performing his song ‘Wow’ and collaborating with Swae Lee on ‘Sunflowers’.
Read Also
Source: bbc.com
