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The 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to a close today (July 19) after over a month of intense gameplay. But before Spain and Argentina finished duking it out, another major spectacle was in order: the first-ever official World Cup Halftime Show. The inaugural event featured performances from Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, Coldplay\u2019s Chris Martin, Justin Bieber, and the Muppets. (Yes, Miss Piggy donned a pink jersey.) Watch highlights from the 11-minute show below.<\/p>\n
The game was tied 0-0 tie at the conclusion of the first half, leaving tensions high at MetLife Stadium. Good thing, then, that the over 80,000 fans in attendance were treated to one of nature\u2019s great stress-relievers: a Madonna performance. The pop legend kicked off the show with \u201cMusic,\u201d the title track of her 2000 album, as Brazilian soccer legends (and former World Cup champions) Ronaldo and Ronaldinho escoirted her onto the field. Her set transitioned into a number from another iconic, one-name act: the Muppets, who laid down a cover of the White Stripes\u2019 \u201cSeven Nation Army.\u201d The troupe was led by Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel.<\/p>\n
Once Janice, Animal, and co. wrapped up their number, it was BTS time: the K-pop juggernauts appeared on the field to perform their hit single \u201cDynamite.\u201d Jason Sudeikis popped up in character as Ted Lasso to introduce Justin Bieber who, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, performed the SWAG<\/em> track \u201cEverything Hallelujah,\u201d changing the lyrics of the song to \u201cWorld Cup Hallelujah\u201d to mark the moment.<\/p>\n Next up were Shakira and Burna Boy, who gave the halftime show its denoument with a performance of their official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem \u201cDai Dai.\u201d For the halftime show\u2019s big finish, Chris Martin, Shakira, and the Muppets performed \u201cWe Believe\u201d alongside a children\u2019s chorus, as the world \u201cLove\u201d\u2014with an \u201cO\u201d stylized to look like Earth\u2014was broadcast onto the field.<\/p>\n Ahead of the game, even more artists brought their voices to the final\u2019s opening ceremony. Jennifer Hudson delivered a rousing rendition of the National Anthem, before Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini came together to perform a number from the 2026 FIFA World Cup soundtrack, \u201cDesire.\u201d Post Malone also took the championship field in East Rutherford, New Jersey, donning a t-shirt reading \u201cI Just Hope Both Teams Have Fun\u201d to debut a new song alongside older hits like \u201cWow.\u201d He also brought out Swae Lee to join him for their 2018 track \u201cSunflower.\u201d<\/p>\n For all the artists in attendance, not everyone in the music world was so hot on the halftime show. In an Instagram<\/a> post shared ahead of the game\u2019s kickoff, the Cure aired some grievances with the performance and FIFA president Gianni Infantino\u2019s characterization of the show as a \u201cgroundbreaking spectacle\u201d that will \u201ccelebrate football, music and our shared values, ensuring a legacy that transcends the final whistle.\u201d The Cure\u2019s thoughts, per their caption? \u201cAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH\u2026 #Breadandcircuses<\/a> #MUGWANK<\/a> #pleasejustfuckoff<\/a>.\u201d (We may still be uncertain about the official definition of \u201cmugwank,\u201d but the sentiment came through clear as day.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n