2026 FWC Final Day: FIFA Makes History With 1st-Ever Final Halftime Show

FIFA introduced a major change to the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday by staging the tournament's first-ever halftime show, extending the traditional 15-minute break to nearly 30 minutes during Spain's 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina at MetLife Stadium.

The historic entertainment spectacle lasted 27 minutes, almost double the standard halftime interval permitted under the Laws of the Game, drawing comparisons to the NFL's Super Bowl halftime show and sparking widespread debate among football fans.

The show featured a star-studded lineup led by Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, and Coldplay, blending music, entertainment, and World Cup-themed performances throughout the extended break. 

The production opened with a pre-recorded appearance from Madonna before the pop icon emerged from the tunnel alongside Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.  

The ceremony then shifted to a performance by the Muppets, accompanied by an orchestral version of Seven Nation Army, before South Korean supergroup BTS took the stage to perform their global hit Dynamite. 

Actors Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt, appearing as their "Ted Lasso" characters, later introduced Justin Bieber, who performed a World Cup-themed version of Everything Hallelujah with modified lyrics dedicated to the tournament. 

The celebration continued with Shakira and Nigerian superstar Burna Boy, who performed the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem "Dai Dai", before Coldplay closed the show alongside a large children's choir in a performance centered around unity and love. 

The halftime production also included tribute videos and highlights celebrating memorable moments from the 2026 World Cup, which was jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Despite the star power, the unprecedented halftime show generated mixed reactions. Many supporters praised FIFA for bringing a new entertainment element to the World Cup final, while others criticized the extended interruption, arguing it disrupted the rhythm of the match and made the tournament's biggest game resemble an American sporting event rather than a traditional football final.