FIFA World Cup 2026 Halftime Show: What happened during FIFA’s first-ever halftime spectacle?

Published 19 July 2026 · sports

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final introduced something the tournament had never staged before: an official halftime show featuring major international music stars. What happened

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final introduced something the tournament had never staged before: an official halftime show featuring major international music stars. What happened at the first-ever FIFA Halftime Show Unlike the Super Bowl, where a large-scale musical performance has been a defining part of the event for decades, the FIFA World Cup final had traditionally kept the focus on the match itself. That changed on Sunday, 19 July, when the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey featured a dedicated musical spectacle during the interval. Quick answers to key questions • 5 QUESTIONS 1 What was unique about the FIFA World Cup 2026 Halftime Show? ⌵ The FIFA World Cup 2026 Halftime Show was the first official halftime spectacle in the tournament's history, featuring major international music stars like Madonna, Shakira, and BTS. 2 How long did the FIFA World Cup 2026 Halftime Show last? ⌵ The FIFA World Cup 2026 Halftime Show was expected to last 11 minutes, but the exact duration depended on the completion of the first half of the match. 3 What was the purpose of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Halftime Show? ⌵ The show aimed to expand entertainment during the final while supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which seeks to raise $100 million for children's education and football opportunities globally. 4 Who curated the FIFA World Cup 2026 Halftime Show? ⌵ The halftime show was curated by Chris Martin, the frontman of Coldplay, who also selected the artists performing at the event. 5 What criticisms did the FIFA World Cup 2026 Halftime Show receive? ⌵ The concept of a halftime show for the World Cup final faced criticism, notably from The Cure's frontman Robert Smith, who objected to the idea rather than the performers themselves.

Madonna, Shakira and BTS were announced as co-headliners for the inaugural FIFA World Cup halftime show. The performance was curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who also selected the artists for the event. The show was announced as part of FIFA’s wider effort to expand the entertainment surrounding the final and create a global spectacle beyond the football itself. View full Image View full Image EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 19: Shakira performs during the Topps Final Halftime Show the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Lars Baron/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Lars Baron / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) (Getty Images via AFP) View full Image View full Image BTS performs during the halftime show in the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) View full Image View full Image Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Final - Spain v Argentina - Halftime Show - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. July 19, 2026 Brazil football players Ronaldinho and Ronaldo with Madonna during the half time show REUTERS/Hannah Mckay (REUTERS) The decision marked a clear departure from the traditional World Cup final format. FIFA had previously experimented with halftime entertainment during the 2025 Club World Cup, when Doja Cat, Tems and J Balvin performed. However, the 2026 World Cup final was the first time the organisation staged an official halftime show specifically for the tournament’s flagship match. The FIFA World Cup 2026 final also drew a high-profile audience, with several celebrities and public figures attending.