FIFA's first World Cup final halftime show runs 27 minutes, draws mixed reactions for Madonna, Bieber and BTS

A Super Bowl experiment on football's biggest stage

FIFA introduced the first halftime show in World Cup history during the final between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey on 19 July 2026. Spain won the match 1-0 in extra time. The production was designed by Chris Martin of Coldplay and modelled on the Super Bowl halftime format, bringing together global music stars, football legends and orchestral performers in front of roughly 80,000 spectators and billions of television viewers worldwide.

The show opened with Madonna, 67, performing her hit "Music" alongside Brazilian football icons Ronaldo Nazário and Ronaldinho, who acted as her escorts. She wore a pink Saint Laurent corset outfit with short shorts and boots, while the former players appeared in yellow and blue tracksuits. Madonna also performed material from her new album "Confessions II".

Music makes the people come together.

From the Philharmonic to the Muppets

The New York Philharmonic, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, followed with a symphonic rendition of the White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army", accompanied by characters from the Muppets Show. The segment was described by several outlets as original in concept but uneven in execution, with some viewers finding it disconnected from the overall flow of the programme.

K-pop group BTS then performed "Dynamite", marking their return to live performance after completing mandatory military service in South Korea three years earlier. Their appearance drew a strong reaction from their fanbase but was characterised by Greek outlet To Vima as feeling more like a standard appearance than an explosive performance.

It felt more like an unfulfilled promise than a live performance in a show watched by millions around the planet.

Bieber, Shakira and the Ted Lasso cameo

Actor Jason Sudeikis, in character as Ted Lasso from the football comedy series, introduced Justin Bieber onto the pitch. Bieber performed an acoustic version of "Everything Hallelujah", adapted for the World Cup and ending with the line "it's the World Cup, Hallelujah". The stripped-back performance added emotion but slowed the tempo of the show, according to multiple reviews.

Shakira and Nigerian musician Burna Boy then performed "Dai Dai", the official song of the tournament. The Colombian star has been associated with World Cups since 2006. Their appearance came one month after performing together at the tournament's opening ceremony in Mexico City.

Dai Dai.

Pelé tribute and the closing anthem

A symbolic moment came when Pelé appeared on the stadium's giant screens with a message about love and unity through football. The show closed with Chris Martin, all the performers and the PS22 children's choir performing "We Believe", the official anthem of the 23rd World Cup edition.

The production lasted 27 minutes and 22 seconds, far exceeding the standard 15-minute halftime interval set by IFAB regulations. One Greek outlet, Skai, noted that the official halftime duration had been set at 11 minutes but that stage setup and removal pushed the break well beyond normal limits, similar to a 24-minute break during a previous Club World Cup final that also drew criticism.

Divided reactions and the charity dimension

Social media reactions were sharply divided. Some viewers called the show a "disaster", criticising pre-recorded segments, a lack of artist collaborations and the absence of Madonna from the finale alongside Shakira. One user wrote: "What a disaster this halftime show was. Pre-recorded parts, no collaborations or surprises. Where was Madonna at the end? She could have sung a few lines with Shakira. Everything was so strange. So much fuss about nothing." Others questioned whether the concept had been generated by ChatGPT.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the initiative, pointing to revenues exceeding $100 million that will be channelled through the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children worldwide. The charitable dimension was highlighted across multiple Greek outlets covering the event.

When we talk about football and entertainment, we are also talking about giving back.