The first-ever half-time show at the FIFA World Cup dazzled fans in and outside the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday (19 July).
With the tussle in the 2026 final between Argentina and Spain on a knife’s-edge going into the half-time break, some of the biggest names in music provided some much-needed relief.
Headlined by Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and BTS, the half-time spectacle packed quite a punch with the performance lasting just 11 minutes.
Pop icon Madonna, flanked by Brazilian legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho went through some of her greatest hits, before entering the stadium to pass the baton to renowned Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel. BTS, in turn, entertained with their hit, Dynamite.
In a fitting segue, popular fictional football coach Ted Lasso introduced Justin Bieber before Shakira and Burna Boy took to the stage.
Sharing the spotlight with the biggest stars of international football, these artists have themselves achieved the pinnacle of musical excellence, boasting 13 Grammy Awards between them.
PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay were also part of the truncated programme, while Uganda’s Ghetto Kids dance troupe joined Shakira onstage.
The show will raise money for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative working to raise money for children worldwide.
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read more: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/fifa-world-cup-2026-final-half-time-show-justin-bieber-bts-shakira-madonna
