Cover From surprise guest appearances to one of the most talked-about musical line-ups of the year, the tournament's closing night sparked conversations that extended far beyond the result on the pitch. In photo: Jimin, Suga, V, RM, J-Hope, Jin and Jungkook of BTS during the Topps Final half-time show at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final (Photo: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
From surprise guest appearances to one of the most talked-about musical line-ups of the year, the tournament's closing night sparked conversations that extended far beyond the result on the pitch. In photo: Jimin, Suga, V, RM, J-Hope, Jin and Jungkook of BTS during the Topps Final half-time show at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final (Photo: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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The World Cup 2026 Final introduced football’s first official half-time show. Here’s who performed and why it mattered
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final was always expected to attract global attention, but the entertainment programme surrounding the match added another layer to the occasion. Held at New York New Jersey Stadium on 19 July 2026, the Final combined football, music and live spectacle on a scale rarely seen in the sport. While World Cup Finals have traditionally focused almost exclusively on the match itself, this edition introduced FIFA’s first official half-time show, alongside an extensive pre-match closing ceremony and a roster of international performers.
The event reflected FIFA’s growing interest in presenting football as both a sporting and cultural occasion. Music stars, actors and public figures appeared throughout the day, while the match itself remained the central attraction. The introduction of the half-time show marked a notable departure from previous tournaments, bringing a format more commonly associated with major American sporting events to football’s biggest stage. For viewers, the Final offered a packed schedule that stretched well beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch, with performances ranging from pop and rock to Afrobeats and K-pop. Here is a complete breakdown of the World Cup 2026 Final performances and the artists who took part.
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At a glance: World Cup 2026 Final entertainment line-up
Closing ceremony: Post Malone, Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, Laura Pausini, IShowSpeed, Tom Cruise (special appearance)
National anthem: Jennifer Hudson
Half-time show: Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira, Burna Boy, Chris Martin, PS22 Chorus, The Muppets
Special guests: Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Jason Sudeikis, Gustavo Dudamel
The first-ever FIFA World Cup Final half-time show
The biggest talking point outside the match was FIFA’s decision to stage the first official half-time show in World Cup Final history. Curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and produced in partnership with Global Citizen, the performance lasted approximately 11 minutes and featured artists from multiple continents.
According to FIFA, the event was designed to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to improve access to education and sport for children worldwide. FIFA also committed contributions linked to ticket sales for the initiative.
Madonna opened the show
Madonna launched the inaugural half-time show with her hit “Music”. Her appearance was introduced by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, creating an opening that connected football history with contemporary entertainment.
BTS brought K-Pop to the World Cup Final stage
BTS performed “Dynamite”, one of the group's most internationally recognised songs. Their appearance had been one of the most anticipated elements of the half-time show, reflecting K-pop’s continued influence on global entertainment.
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Justin Bieber delivered an acoustic performance
Justin Bieber, introduced by Ted Lasso (played by Jason Sudeikis) and Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt), followed with an acoustic rendition of “Everything Hallelujah”, adapting the performance for the occasion. The set offered a contrast to the larger ensemble numbers that surrounded it.
Shakira and Burna Boy performed the tournament anthem
Shakira and Burna Boy teamed up for “Dai Dai”, the official anthem associated with the tournament. Their appearance brought together two artists whose careers have helped expand the international reach of Latin pop and Afrobeats.
The Muppets made an unexpected appearance
One of the more unusual moments of the half-time show involved The Muppets, who appeared alongside conductor Gustavo Dudamel. The characters performed a version of “Seven Nation Army”, a song long associated with football crowds around the world.
Chris Martin joined the finale
The performance concluded with Chris Martin, Shakira, The Muppets and the PS22 Chorus. Martin, who also directed and curated the inaugural FIFA World Cup Final half-time show, brought together many of the event’s participants for a collaborative closing number that ended the historic performance.
The closing ceremony before kick-off
Long before the players entered the pitch, FIFA staged an extensive closing ceremony. Post Malone headlined the event, which began approximately 90 minutes before kick-off. Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini also performed, while internet personality IShowSpeed and actor Tom Cruise made appearances.
The ceremony represented FIFA’s most ambitious pre-match entertainment programme to date and set the stage for the final itself.
Jennifer Hudson performed the United States National Anthem
Jennifer Hudson delivered the United States national anthem before the match. The performance formed part of the pre-game programme and preceded the teams’ final preparations before kick-off.
Why the 2026 World Cup Final was different
The World Cup Final has historically maintained a relatively traditional format, with entertainment largely limited to opening or closing ceremonies. The addition of a dedicated half-time show represented a significant shift in presentation and aligned the event more closely with other major global sporting spectacles.
The move also generated debate among supporters. Unlike American football, where half-time breaks can last more than 20 minutes, FIFA's Laws of the Game limit the interval between halves to 15 minutes. Critics questioned whether a large-scale concert could fit within football's established framework without disrupting the match, while supporters viewed it as a natural evolution for one of the world's most watched sporting events.
Whether FIFA continues the format in future tournaments remains to be seen. What is clear is that the World Cup 2026 Final expanded the scope of matchday entertainment, bringing together football, music and popular culture on one of the most watched stages in sport.
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Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
