The FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show marked a historic moment on Sunday as FIFA staged the first official halftime performance in the tournament’s history, transforming football’s biggest match into a global music celebration.

The groundbreaking production took place during the halftime break of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final between defending champions Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It was the first time FIFA adopted a Super Bowl-style halftime show for the tournament’s biggest match.

Lasting about 11 minutes, the performance was curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in collaboration with Global Citizen. Produced by Live Nation and Done + Dusted, the show was directed by veteran live-event producer Hamish Hamilton and formed part of an extended halftime interval.

The event also supported the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to expand access to education and football opportunities for children around the world. Organisers said every performer volunteered their appearance in support of the fundraising campaign.

The lineup featured international music stars Madonna, Shakira, BTS and Justin Bieber. They were joined by Nigerian Grammy-winning artiste Burna Boy, acclaimed conductor Gustavo Dudamel, musicians from the New York Philharmonic, Venezuela’s Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, the PS22 Chorus, Uganda’s Ghetto Kids, singer Emmanuel Kelly, and popular characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets.

One of the show’s standout moments came when Shakira and Burna Boy reunited to perform “Dai Dai,” the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following their earlier appearance together at the tournament’s opening ceremony.

BTS thrilled fans with a performance of their global hit “Dynamite,” while Justin Bieber delivered a slower solo set. Madonna provided one of the performance’s defining moments with a high-energy appearance, supported by orchestral music, choir performances, dance routines and family-friendly segments that reinforced the production’s message of unity and hope.

Designed as a fast-paced mega-mix, the FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show featured rapid stage transitions, elaborate visual effects and carefully choreographed performances on a specially protected playing surface to preserve the pitch.

The halftime spectacle formed part of a wider entertainment programme surrounding the World Cup Final. Before kick-off, the tournament concluded with a star-studded closing ceremony featuring performances by Post Malone, Swae Lee, Jennifer Hudson, Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini, alongside appearances by internet personality IShowSpeed and actor Tom Cruise.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final concluded the first 48-team edition of the tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

FIFA’s introduction of the FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show represented a major departure from World Cup tradition, blending elite football with large-scale live entertainment while advancing the tournament’s global education initiative. The move generated widespread discussion among fans and observers, with reactions ranging from praise for its international star power and ambitious production to debate over its departure from the competition’s traditional format.