The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina paused for something football had never staged before: a Super Bowl-style halftime show, held on Sunday at the New York New Jersey Stadium. No goals for a quarter of an hour, but plenty of show and singing.
Madonna knows how to make an entry
The performance opened with Madonna arriving on the pitch in a special vehicle driven by Brazilian football greats Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. The two stars appeared to enjoy the moment and were warmly received by the crowd, in an image that tied the musical spectacle back to World Cup history.
BTS, Bieber and Shakira
South Korean pop group BTS then took over, delivering one of the strongest crowd reactions of the night, while Justin Bieber, guitar in hand, had his own featured moment.
The show closed with Shakira, appearing at her fourth World Cup, who lifted the stadium with Dai Dai, the official song of the 2026 tournament, performed with Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy.
Love is the message
The spectacle, curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, ended with many young children taking their place on the pitch, sending a message of love, acceptance and peace. The show supported the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to expand access to education and football opportunities for children worldwide.
