FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Makes History with Spectacular First-Ever Halftime Show Led by Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber and BTS
Football and music collide in a groundbreaking FIFA World Cup Final entertainment spectacular
Football history was made in New Jersey as the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final introduced its first-ever halftime show, transforming one of the world’s biggest sporting events into a global entertainment spectacle watched by millions around the world.
The star-studded performance featured Grammy Award winner Shakira, who co-headlined alongside Madonna, Justin Bieber and BTS. Madonna opened the show with a performance of Music, before BTS electrified the stadium with their worldwide hit Dynamite. Justin Bieber then slowed the pace with an intimate acoustic rendition of Everything Hallelujah, before Shakira took centre stage with Burna Boy to perform her global No. 1 hit Dai Dai, the official anthem of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, wearing a stunning custom Roberto Cavalli look by Fausto Puglisi adorned with Swarovski crystals. The halftime show concluded with Coldplay and the PS22 Chorus joining together for We Dance, an original song created especially for the occasion.
Justin Bieber Delivers a Raw and Authentic Performance
Justin Bieber’s appearance became one of the standout moments of the day, showcasing his raw musical talent through an acoustic performance of Everything Hallelujah. The intimate and organic set shifted the atmosphere for several minutes, allowing his artistry to take centre stage without relying heavily on elaborate production effects, offering a refreshing contrast to the performances that preceded it.
Justin Bieber told GQ, “I’m using my gifts to serve people. That’s what I love so much.”
“As a musician myself, I found Bieber’s stripped-back performance one of the highlights of the halftime show. In an era where so much relies on technology and production, it was refreshing to see an artist simply step onto the stage and let genuine talent do the talking. Moments like this remind us why live music still matters,” said Melinda Sullivan.
Following the performance, Bieber and wife Hailey Bieber continued celebrating the historic final with a private dinner, enjoying a quiet moment together away from the global spotlight.
Beyond the halftime show, the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final further embraced entertainment and pop culture with appearances from some of the world’s biggest names. Online personality IShowSpeed brought his signature energy to the celebrations during the closing ceremony, while actor Jason Sudeikis appeared as his beloved character Ted Lasso alongside Coach Beard to introduce Justin Bieber to the field, creating a memorable crossover between football and entertainment.
Shakira’s Performance Supports Global Education
The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund is a new global initiative aimed at expanding access to quality education for children around the world. The Fund will support education efforts and FIFA’s Football for Schools program across more than 200 countries, with a goal of raising over US$100 million by the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Shakira partnered with Global Citizen and FIFA to further support the cause, donating royalties from Dai Dai to the Education Fund while also contributing US$1 from every ticket sold to her upcoming Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran tour. Sony Music will also match the firstUS$250,000 raised through donations.
Dai Dai quickly climbed to No. 1 on Spotify worldwide, making Shakira the first artist to top Spotify’s global charts in both English and Spanish. The track also reached the top of the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts, while the accompanying music video has surpassed 400 million YouTube views since its release.
The halftime performance comes as Shakira continues her record-breaking Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour across the United States before returning to Spain for a European residency featuring 12 stadium performances in Madrid at a specially built venue now affectionately known as the Shakira Stadium.
The introduction of a FIFA World Cup halftime show marks the beginning of a new era for football, blending elite sport with world-class music and entertainment to create a celebration that will be remembered long after the final whistle.
Written by Nesenaz Yucel
Images of Shakira provided, additional images via Instagram.
Edited by Melinda Sullivan.
Also visit https://www.fifa.com/
