Football and music collided in spectacular fashion as FIFA staged its first-ever World Cup Final Halftime Show (watch in full here), bringing together an all-star lineup led by Madonna, BTS, Shakira, Justin Bieber, Coldplay, and a host of surprise guests during the final between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on 19 July.
Inspired by the Super Bowl's iconic halftime tradition, FIFA transformed the break into an ambitious 27-minute entertainment spectacle packed with pop stars, football legends, orchestral performances, celebrity cameos, and even appearances from The Muppets.
Opening the show was Madonna, who made a dramatic entrance aboard a dune buggy driven by Brazilian football icons Ronaldo and Ronaldinho before launching into her classic hit 'Music', weaving in elements of 'Disco Inferno' and 'Danceteria'. The performance immediately set the tone for one of the most talked-about moments of the tournament.
Next came BTS, whose explosive rendition of 'Dynamite' reminded audiences why the K-pop supergroup remains one of the biggest acts in the world. Although their segment lasted just under two minutes, the group's polished choreography and infectious energy quickly became one of the show's standout highlights, leaving many fans wishing they had been given more time on the field.
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The halftime show then shifted gears with a surprise appearance from Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt, reprising their beloved roles as Ted Lasso and Coach Beard. Their comedic introduction paved the way for Justin Bieber, who opted for an intimate acoustic performance of 'Everything Hallelujah', closing with the lyric "It's the World Cup, hallelujah."
While the stripped-back approach divided viewers online—especially compared to the high-energy performances surrounding it—it provided one of the evening's quieter moments amid an otherwise relentless production.
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No World Cup celebration would feel complete without Shakira, who returned to football's biggest stage alongside Burna Boy to perform the tournament's official anthem, 'Dai Dai'. Joined by Uganda's Ghetto Kids, the performance delivered vibrant choreography and global flair, further cementing Shakira's long-standing association with football's biggest events.
Closing the historic show was Coldplay, led by Chris Martin, who also served as curator for the halftime production. Performing the new song 'Believe in Love' alongside the PS22 Chorus, the band welcomed every performer back onto the field for a colourful finale featuring fireworks, orchestral accompaniment from conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and appearances from Kermit, Miss Piggy, Animal, and the Electric Mayhem band.
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Beyond the halftime show, the World Cup final itself featured a star-studded closing ceremony. Jennifer Hudson performed the United States national anthem before kick-off, while Tom Cruise delivered a speech celebrating football's ability to unite cultures around the world. Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, Laura Pausini, Post Malone, Swae Lee, and streamer IShowSpeed also appeared throughout the festivities.
The event attracted a celebrity-filled crowd including Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet, David and Victoria Beckham, Jessica Alba, and Anya Taylor-Joy.
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Despite its blockbuster cast, the inaugural halftime show received mixed reactions from fans and critics alike. Many praised its ambitious scale and global representation, while others felt the packed 11-minute performance window left little room for each artist to truly shine. Former England captain Wayne Rooney was among those unimpressed, describing the performance during BBC's coverage as "crap."
Still, FIFA's first attempt at bringing a Super Bowl-style halftime show to football's biggest stage delivered no shortage of unforgettable moments—from Madonna arriving with football royalty to BTS energising the stadium, Shakira returning to familiar territory, and The Muppets unexpectedly stealing the spotlight.
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