BTS, Madonna and the Muppets light up Fifa World Cup half-time show

The first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show on Sunday featured a star-studded lineup including musical artists Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, BTS, and Coldplay. The Super Bowl-style event also included Brazilian football icons and actors from "Ted Lasso." A tribute to football icon Pele was presented, along with a performance of "Seven Nation Army" led by Gustavo Dudamel and featuring international musicians. Characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets joined Coldplay and a New York school choir to conclude the show. This performance aimed to raise money for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which supports access to sport for underprivileged children.

The 2026 World Cup final will feature a 25-minute half-time show, a first for the tournament, with performances by Madonna, Shakira, BTS, and Justin Bieber. This extended break, exceeding the International Football Association Board's 15-minute maximum, has sparked debate about the integration of music into major sporting events. FIFA describes the show as a "landmark celebration at the intersection of sport, music and global impact." This precedent follows a similar 24-minute half-time musical performance at last year's Club World Cup final, also held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, raising questions about whether such spectacles will become common in future tournaments and fan reception.