The 2026 World Cup final at the New York New Jersey Stadium featured performances from global music artists during its half-time show. Pop stars Madonna, BTS, Shakira, and Justin Bieber were among those who entertained thousands of spectators. This half-time spectacle, which ran for 27 minutes and 22 seconds, marked the longest in World Cup history.
The extended duration of the half-time show had been a point of discussion among broadcasters, including ITV and the BBC, who planned to screen the event in full despite concerns about its length. The show was curated by Coldplay‘s Chris Martin, with projections for the interval to last between 25 and 30 minutes. The laws of the game, as overseen by the International Football Association Board (Ifab), typically allow for a half-time interval not exceeding 15 minutes, unless altered with the referee’s permission. FIFA had previously held a half-time show at the same venue for the Club World Cup final, which resulted in a 24-minute break, though that event took place in the stands.
Star-studded Performances and Reactions
During her performance, Madonna sang her hit song “Music,” appearing from tunnels beneath the arena. Shakira, the Colombian pop star, reunited on stage with Nigerian musician Burna Boy, having previously performed together at the tournament’s opening ceremony in Mexico City. South Korean K-Pop group BTS made their comeback from a three-year music hiatus to complete their mandatory military service, participating in the event.
Justin Bieber contributed to the show by playing the guitar during his segment. Other artists who performed as part of the wider event included Jennifer Hudson, who sang the US national anthem, and rapper and singer Post Malone, who performed his song “Wow.” Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and Italian singer Laura Pausini also performed together. Pausini expressed excitement about performing with Williams, noting she had goosebumps.
The event drew a number of celebrities, with Kylie Jenner and her boyfriend Timothee Chalamet, as well as Beyonce and Jay-Z, spotted among the attendees. Ahead of the match, actor Tom Cruise took to the stage to introduce the game, 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.”
However, not all reactions to the half-time performances were positive. Former England player Wayne Rooney, who was part of the commentary team, shared his immediate reaction, saying, “I like a lot of them artists, but I thought it was crap.”
Pre-match Entertainment and FIFA’s Vision
The half-time show was part of a broader emphasis by FIFA on pre-match entertainment throughout the World Cup tournament, particularly catering to the expectations of the American market. This included extensive musical opening ceremonies in the host countries.
For instance, Shakira and Burna Boy headlined a significant pre-match show before Mexico played South Africa in Mexico City Stadium. Similarly, Alanis Morissette and Michael Bublé performed in Toronto before the match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Katy Perry also fronted a performance before the USA‘s first game against Paraguay.
FIFA‘s president, Gianni Infantino, described the half-time show as a “groundbreaking spectacle” intended to “celebrate football, music and our shared values, ensuring a legacy that transcends the final whistle.” In addition to the half-time event, FIFA also staged a closing ceremony 90 minutes before kick-off at the final, featuring performances from Robbie Williams and Jennifer Hudson.
Streamer IShowSpeed was among the first to take to the field at the New York New Jersey Stadium, accompanied by drummers and dancers in vibrant tracksuits, signaling the start of the closing ceremony performances.
Source: bbc.co.uk
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