Madonna, Muppets, and Global Stars Shine at 2026 FIFA World Cup Halftime Show

The 2026 FIFA World Cup concludes today (July 19) after more than a month of intense competition. Before France and Argentina battle for the title, the inaugural official World Cup Halftime Show took center stage. The debut event featured performances by Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Justin Bieber, and the Muppets. View highlights from the eleven‑minute show below.

The match stood scoreless at halftime, heightening the tension at MetLife Stadium. Spirits lifted when the halftime show opened with Madonna, who performed “Music,” the title track from her 2000 album, flanked by dancers. Brazilian soccer legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho escorted her onto the field in style. Her set segued into a number from another iconic mononymous act: the Muppets, who delivered a cover of the White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” led by Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel.

Following Janice and Animal’s performance, BTS took the stage, delivering their hit single “Dynamite.” Jason Sudeikis appeared in character as Ted Lasso to introduce Justin Bieber, who, accompanied only by his acoustic guitar, performed the SWAG track “Everything Hallelujah,” re‑working the lyrics into “World Cup Hallelujah” for the occasion.

Next, Shakira and Burna Boy closed the halftime show with a rendition of the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem “Dai Dai.” For the grand finale, Chris Martin, Shakira, and the Muppets joined forces with a children’s chorus to perform “We Believe,” while the word “Love”—with an “O” stylized to resemble Earth—was projected onto the pitch.

Ahead of the halftime show, additional artists contributed to the opening ceremony. Jennifer Hudson delivered a powerful rendition of the National Anthem, followed by Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, and Laura Pausini performing a number from the 2026 FIFA World Cup soundtrack titled “Desire.” Post Malone also took the field in East Rutherford, New Jersey, wearing a shirt that read “I Just Hope Both Teams Have Fun” as he premiered a new song alongside classics such as “Wow.” He also invited Swae Lee to join him for their 2018 hit “Sunflower.”

Despite the star‑studded lineup, not all musicians praised the halftime show. In an Instagram post shared before kickoff, The Cure aired grievances about the performance and FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s description of the show as a “groundbreaking spectacle” that would “celebrate football, music and our shared values, ensuring a legacy that transcends the final whistle.” The Cure’s caption read: “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH… #Breadandcircuses #MUGWANK #pleasejustfuckoff.” (While the exact meaning of “mugwank” remains unclear, the sentiment was unmistakable.)

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