Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira Perform First World Cup Halftime Show
The pop icons delivered an 11-minute musical medley at the New York New Jersey Stadium, a break from the tournament's traditional 15-minute interval.
“Go out there, don’t be nervous, nobody’s watching,”
Superstars Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, and Shakira performed a high-energy musical medley during the first halftime show at a World Cup final on Sunday, according to a report from WSAU. The Super Bowl-style performance was held at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Madonna opened the show with a performance of her 2000 hit single "Music," emerging from the stadium tunnels in a pink corset and sporty jacket via a dune buggy driven by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. The K-pop band BTS followed with their upbeat track "Dynamite," clad in black-and-red outfits.
American actors Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt, in character as coaches from the TV show "Ted Lasso," introduced Bieber. Sudeikis said to the singer, "Go out there, don’t be nervous, nobody’s watching." Bieber slowed the tempo with the acoustic "Everything Hallelujah," changing the song’s final words to "World Cup Hallelujah." Colombian singer Shakira and Nigeria's Burna Boy closed the show with "Dai Dai," the official song of the 2026 World Cup.
How long was the halftime show?
The musical performances lasted 11 minutes. The entire halftime break extended to around 27 minutes as workers moved equipment to and from the pitch. Ahead of the match, the show drew criticism for deviating from the traditional 15-minute interval specified in the International Laws of the Game. Tournament regulations mention a 15-minute break but do not explicitly state it cannot be longer.
The spectacle also featured Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel leading an orchestra of musicians from New York and Venezuela, plus The Muppets band Electric Mayhem and their drummer Animal, in a rendition of the White Stripes song "Seven Nation Army." The show concluded with the word "LOVE" splashed across the field, with an image of the Earth representing the letter O.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who drove Madonna onto the field for the World Cup halftime show?
Madonna was driven onto the field in a dune buggy by Brazilian football greats Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
What song did Shakira perform?
Shakira, joined by Nigeria's Burna Boy, performed "Dai Dai," which is the official song of the 2026 World Cup.
Why was the halftime show controversial?
The show was criticized for extending beyond the traditional 15-minute halftime interval specified in soccer's International Laws of the Game, though tournament regulations did not explicitly forbid a longer break.
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