First World Cup halftime show draws mixed reactions for Shakira, Justin Bieber, BTS, Madonna performances
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final has historical significance for many reasons. Argentina has the opportunity to become the first repeat champion since Brazil in 1962. It is among the most expensive sporting events ever and tops the World Cup with the best attendance in the tournament’s history.
There was also the halftime show of the World Cup Final, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
In short, at least by Super Bowl halftime show standards, the show featured performances by Madonna, The Muppets, BTS, Justin Bieber, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, an appearance by Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso, an appearance by Shakira with guest Burna Boy, and a closing song by a group of kids gathered in the middle of the field.
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BTS performs at the halftime show in East Rutherford, NJ (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)
Madonna began her performance in the tunnel before taking to the field to cheers from the crowd.
Dudamel “led” The Muppets in their performance of “Seven Nation Army” before BTS joined them to sing “Dynamite,” one of the group’s biggest hits. Ted Lasso then “got in” with Bieber and sang “Everything Hallelujah,” a quieter ballad whose lyrics he arranged to incorporate “World Cup.”
Singer Justin Bieber performs at the halftime show in East Rutherford, NJ (Amanda Perobelli/Reuters via Imagn Images)
Surrounded by backup dancers, Shakira and Burna Boy performed the official World Cup anthem, “Dai Dai,” which added some energy before the show closed. Joined by Chris Martin and many other artists, the children sang about “love” on the field.
Shakira performs during the Halftime Show in East Rutherford, NJ (Lee Smith/Reuters via Imagn Images)
Many compared it favorably to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show, saying it was more energetic and articulate, unlike most of Bad Bunny’s “singing”.
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Some also criticized the length of the show, saying that it took 27 minutes from the end of the first half to the beginning of the second half. Former England football star Wayne Rooney had harsh words for the BBC broadcast, saying he thought it was “nonsense”.
Yet while many questioned the necessity of the World Cup halftime show, most seemed to think it was well done, flowed well and didn’t take too long.
General view of the stadium during the halftime show in East Rutherford, NJ (Mike Segar/Reuters)
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What more excitement is needed? The real game during the final was that both Spain and Argentina took their time warming up for the match and did not come up with many good scoring opportunities. But given the success of the show, it looks like it will become part of this tradition by the end of the World Cup.
