The FIFA World Cup entered new territory on Sunday as the final between Spain and Argentina featured the tournament’s first ever halftime show, bringing a Super Bowl-style spectacle to football’s biggest stage.
The 11-minute performance at New York-New Jersey Stadium featured Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel and New York’s PS22 Chorus, with Coldplay joining the choir. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin curated the show, which supported the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund’s campaign to raise $100 million for children’s education and football programmes.
“The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can,” Bieber said. “I’m grateful to be part of this Halftime Show, and even more grateful knowing it’s already helping expand access to education for children around the world.”
Madonna opened the show with her 2000 hit Music. She arrived in the stadium on a dune buggy after a pre-recorded sequence and shared the stage with Brazilian greats Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
Dudamel then led an orchestra through Seven Nation Army, accompanied by characters from The Muppets, before BTS took centre stage with Dynamite.
Burna Boy also featured prominently after collaborating with Shakira on the official World Cup song Dai Dai. The Nigerian singer described his appearance as a landmark moment.
“The FIFA World Cup is one of the few moments that truly brings the entire world together,” Burna Boy said. “To represent Africa on the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show is a privilege and a responsibility that I don’t take lightly.”
The entertainment extended beyond halftime. Robbie Williams performed FIFA anthem Desire alongside Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini during the closing ceremony. Internet personality IShowSpeed opened the festivities with his football-themed song Champions, while Post Malone performed new single Chrome Heartbreaker before revisiting his hit Sunflower with Swae Lee.
Hollywood actor Tom Cruise also appeared before kick-off, urging fans to celebrate the tournament before introducing the finalists, while Jennifer Hudson sang the United States national anthem live. María Becerra performed Argentina’s national anthem and Spanish Brass played Spain’s La Marcha Real.
The historic halftime show marked FIFA’s biggest move yet to blend football with global entertainment, adding a new tradition to the World Cup final.
