Madonna, BTS, Bieber, and Shakira Headline High-Energy World Cup Final Halftime Show
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- The 2026 World Cup final featured a high-energy halftime show with international superstars Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, and Shakira.
- The performance included renditions of hit songs and a special collaboration on the official World Cup song.
- The show, which lasted 11 minutes, contributed to a total halftime break of approximately 27 minutes, drawing some criticism for its length.
The 2026 World Cup final was illuminated by a star-studded halftime show, featuring a dynamic medley from global music icons Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, and Shakira. This elaborate performance marked a significant American-style entertainment element added to the tournament's festivities.
Superstar Madonna kicked off the spectacle, performing her hit single "Music" from the tunnels of New York New Jersey Stadium before making a dramatic entrance via a dune buggy, driven by football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. Following Madonna's energetic opening, K-pop sensation BTS delivered an upbeat rendition of their track "Dynamite," clad in striking black-and-red outfits. American actors Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt, reprising their roles from the TV show "Ted Lasso," introduced Justin Bieber, who shifted the mood with an acoustic performance of "Everything Hallelujah," altering the lyrics to "World Cup Hallelujah."
The musical collaboration culminated with Colombian singer Shakira and Nigerian artist Burna Boy joining forces for "Dai Dai," the official song of the 2026 World Cup. While the musical performances themselves lasted 11 minutes, the entire interval extended to around 27 minutes due to the extensive setup and removal of stage equipment. This extended break drew some criticism, as it deviated from the traditional 15-minute halftime interval stipulated by the International Laws of the Game, although tournament regulations do not explicitly prohibit exceeding this time.
World Cup Hallelujah.
Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.