World Cup Halftime Stars
Chris Martin Curates 2026 World Cup Halftime Show Featuring Madonna, BTS, Shakira, and Justin Bieber
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final got its first-ever halftime show, and it delivered a blockbuster lineup. Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, and Shakira all took the stage at New York New Jersey Stadium — the rebranded MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey — during the Spain-Argentina final, according to Billboard.
The 11-and-a-half-minute show was modeled after the NFL's Super Bowl halftime format. It marked a major shift for FIFA, which has never staged a halftime performance at a World Cup Final before. The show was part of a broader push to add American-style entertainment elements to the tournament, KFGO reported.
Chris Martin Curated a Global Superstar Lineup
Coldplay's Chris Martin served as the creative force behind the show, hand-picking the performers. The result was a lineup that spanned pop, K-pop, Latin, and hip-hop — designed to reflect the global reach of the World Cup. Few single events can draw on that range of genres at once.
Shakira, who performed at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, returned to the world's biggest soccer stage. BTS brought their massive global fanbase into the fold. Madonna and Justin Bieber rounded out a lineup built for both longtime soccer fans and casual viewers tuning in for the spectacle, according to Billboard.
Muppets and Sesame Street Join the FIFA Education Push
The show wasn't all pop stars. Special appearances by the Muppets and Sesame Street characters were woven into the performance. The segments were tied to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a charity initiative aimed at expanding access to education worldwide, according to Crypto Briefing.
The pairing of global superstars with beloved children's characters gave the show an unusual mix of high-energy concert and family-friendly messaging. It signaled FIFA's intent to use the halftime slot for more than entertainment alone.
A Super Bowl Moment on Soccer's Biggest Stage
The World Cup Final halftime show has long been just a break in play. No performances, no spectacle — just teams heading to the locker room. That changed in 2026. FIFA leaned into the host country's culture and gave American audiences something familiar: a full-scale pop concert at the biggest sporting event on the planet, according to Froggy Web.
The Spain-Argentina final provided the perfect backdrop. Two of the world's most storied soccer nations meeting in the title match, with a halftime show that drew comparisons to the Super Bowl. Whether FIFA makes this a permanent feature of future World Cups remains to be seen.
Early Reports Included Some Errors Worth Noting
Not every early report got it right. Some outlets initially published details that included fictional characters — most notably Ted Lasso, a made-up TV coach — as part of the lineup, according to Crypto Briefing. Those claims were not confirmed by any credible source and appear to have been errors.
The confirmed performers — Madonna, BTS, Shakira, and Justin Bieber — were verified across multiple outlets including 740 The Fan and Q106 FM. Fans and bettors who had wagered on Harry Styles appearing were left disappointed, as the confirmed lineup left no room for the British pop star.
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