Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS perform at FIFA Halftime Show
Stars such as Madonna, BTS, The Muppets, Justin Bieber and Ted Lasso took to the pitch to perform in the first-ever World Cup halftime show.
For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, football Taking cues from soccer, we sandwiched a star-studded show between first-half plays.
Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS represented the cultural diversity of the World Cup, which began on June 11 and culminated in the final, July 19, with the 104th match between defending champions Argentina and Spain.
The 11-minute halftime show at New Jersey Stadium (also known as MetLife Stadium) in New York was part of a collaborative effort.
Performing atop a rainbow banner covering the field, echoes of Madonna’s “Music” filled the screen before a pre-recorded intro played and the Queen of Pop was unveiled in her now iconic pink in a car packed with lively dancers hanging on either side.
The sun’s rays then hit the screen as she appeared on the field, accompanied by soccer icons Ronaldinho Gaucho and Ronaldo Nazario, singing the refrain “Music brings people together.” Her brief appearance suggested exactly what many suspected was a major flaw in this collection of global music stars. The idea was that there were too many people and too little time.
The fast-paced spectacle skipped over to The Muppets, who channeled the groove of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” Gustavo Dudamel conducted the felt-covered popular group surrounded by an orchestra, and BTS parted ways for a peppy rendition of “Dynamite.” The group, along with dozens of other dancers, took seconds to perform their mesmerizing choreography as they glided across the field floor. But then again, even a group of experienced professionals like these guys can only produce so much in two minutes of performance time.
As if this gathering needed more people, Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt roamed the sidelines as their “Ted Lasso” characters (Lasso and Coach Beard, respectively) and introduced Beaver. Had there been fewer artists and a longer show, their appearances would have tied in cutely to this soccer extravaganza. But were they really necessary?
Armed with an acoustic guitar and wearing a headset, Bieber varied the tempo of the piece with live singing. – A relatively subdued “Everything Hallelujah” with lyrics tweaked to compliment the World Cup. Although the non-prerecorded vocals were appreciated, his ballads felt oddly shoehorned into an otherwise lively and energetic halftime.
Of course, no World Cup performance would be complete without Shakira’s mesmerizing presence. Wearing a revealing outfit of yellow and pink halter and skirt, the Colombian superstar naturally laughed and danced along with Burna Boy in a swerving, rhythm-driven performance of the World Cup’s official song “Die Die,” which has been breaking chart records since its release in May.
Along with the marquee headliner, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, who helped Global Citizen produce the show, jumped up and down with the adorable New York City-based PS22 chorus, singing the unity anthem “We Dance” as the camera zoomed out to reveal the “Love” insignia on a banner spread across the field.
To stage the event, which required seven minutes of preparation, FIFA extended halftime from the usual 15 minutes to nearly 30 minutes, a move that angered some soccer purists and could only be changed with permission from referees, according to International Football Association Rules.
Who performed during the halftime show of the World Cup final?
All the megastars attending the halftime show are currently in the news.
Madonna just released her long-awaited album Confessions II, and BTS is in the middle of a massive world stadium tour.
Shakira has been a World Cup ambassador since the mid-2000s, and even sang the World Cup anthem “Waka Waka” during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Meanwhile, Bieber and his wife Hailey just paid $12 million for a condo. According to the Wall Street Journal, the couple purchased a luxury property in Manhattan’s West Village that was previously owned by real estate developer Stephen Browser.
The World Cup finale supports the FIFA Global Citizenship Education Fund initiative, which raises $100 million to expand access to quality education and soccer to children around the world. So far, more than $50 million has been raised and donated to organizations, from $1 for every ticket sold to a 2026 FIFA World Cup match.
