The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final was always expected to make history on the pitch, but it also redefined how the biggest match in soccer can entertain millions of fans around the world. From a spectacular pre-match ceremony to the first-ever halftime show, the championship between Spain and Argentina at the FIFA World Cup delivered an unforgettable blend of football, music, and global culture.
What made the occasion especially remarkable was its scale. Hollywood stars, music legends, football icons, children’s choirs, and performers from six continents all took part in a production that rivaled the spectacle of the Super Bowl while remaining uniquely rooted in the spirit of the World Cup. More importantly, the massive event also supported the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, proving the event was about much more than entertainment.
The World Cup Final Began with a Star-Studded Opening Ceremony
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Long before kickoff, fans inside New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, were treated to a spectacular closing ceremony that set the tone for the day.
Academy Award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson opened the festivities with a stirring rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Dressed in a custom white Thom Browne three-piece ensemble with navy piping, Hudson delivered the U.S. national anthem before the host nation’s largest sporting event of the year. While her soulful interpretation sparked debate online over its pacing, many praised the EGOT winner’s powerful vocals and commanding stage presence.
The entertainment continued with performances from Post Malone, while Hollywood icon Tom Cruise made a surprise appearance that energized the crowd.
The ceremony reached its finale as Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, and Laura Pausini performed “Desire,” FIFA’s official anthem. Their performance provided a fitting sendoff before players took the field for one of the biggest matches in football history.
With anticipation already at its peak, the biggest surprise of the night was still to come.
FIFA’s First-Ever Halftime Show Changed World Cup History
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For nearly 100 years, the FIFA World Cup final had never featured a live musical performance during halftime. The break had always belonged to tactical adjustments, television analysis, and player recovery.
That tradition ended in 2026.
Inspired by the Super Bowl but designed with a global audience in mind, the FIFA halftime show brought together some of the world’s biggest entertainers for an ambitious 11-minute production curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.
Rather than focusing on one headline performer, FIFA assembled artists representing multiple continents, emphasizing the tournament’s worldwide reach and cultural diversity.
Madonna Opened the Historic Performance in Style
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The halftime show exploded into life as Madonna took center stage with her 2000 hit “Music,” blending it with elements of “Disco Inferno” and “Danceteria.”
Her entrance was as memorable as the performance itself.
The pop icon arrived alongside Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, immediately connecting music with football royalty. The colorful production embraced a playful atmosphere before Madonna handed the spotlight to Electric Mayhem, the legendary Muppet band.
Animal, Janice, and Floyd Pepper delighted fans by performing The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” one of football’s most recognizable stadium anthems.
It was an unexpected crossover that perfectly captured the family-friendly tone of the evening.
BTS, Ted Lasso, and Justin Bieber Delivered Memorable Moments
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The energy shifted once BTS took over the field.
The global K-pop superstars performed “Dynamite,” featuring specially rewritten football-themed lyrics for the occasion. RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook delivered the synchronized choreography that has made BTS one of the world’s biggest music acts while celebrating the international language of football.
The performance transitioned into one of the night’s funniest surprises.
Jason Sudeikis appeared as Ted Lasso, joined by Brendan Hunt as Coach Beard, delighting both soccer and television fans. Carrying a humorous “Beliebe” sign, the pair introduced Justin Bieber, who completely changed the pace of the show.
Armed with only an acoustic guitar, Bieber performed “Everything Hallelujah” from his 2025 album “Swag II,” creating one of the evening’s most intimate moments before the spectacle returned to full scale.
Shakira and Burna Boy Stole the Spotlight
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Few artists are more closely associated with the FIFA World Cup than Shakira, making her appearance one of the night’s most anticipated moments.
The Colombian superstar joined Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy to perform “Dai Dai,” the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The performance celebrated the tournament’s international spirit while highlighting one of the year’s biggest global hits.
For the occasion, Shakira wore a custom Roberto Cavalli creation designed by Fausto Puglisi and embellished with Swarovski crystals, a fitting callback to Cavalli dressing her during the 2010 World Cup.
Before the final, Shakira admitted she was just as curious as fans about how the ambitious production would come together, calling it “pretty historic” because of the unprecedented collaboration between multiple headline artists.
A Grand Finale Celebrating Unity and Hope
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The show’s emotional conclusion reflected the values FIFA hoped to promote throughout the tournament.
Chris Martin returned alongside Coldplay, joined by Shakira, BTS, Justin Bieber, Burna Boy, Australian singer Emmanuel Kelly, the PS22 Chorus from Staten Island, Sesame Street characters, and The Muppets for the debut of “We Dance,” an original song written specifically for the World Cup final.
The performance took place around the vibrant Earth Ball, a globe-inspired centerpiece decorated with words including “Love,” “Music,” and “Thrive.”
Adding even more global flavor, Uganda’s famous Ghetto Kids dance troupe performed with Shakira, while musicians from the New York Philharmonic and Venezuela’s Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Gustavo Dudamel, reinforced the event’s worldwide identity.
The result was a joyful celebration of music, diversity, and shared humanity.
Supporting Children Around the World
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Beyond the celebrity appearances, FIFA’s first-ever halftime show carried an important mission.
The event served as the centerpiece of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative working to expand education and sports opportunities for children in underserved communities worldwide.
FIFA pledged to donate one dollar from every ticket sold across all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup, helping the initiative raise approximately $60 million even before the tournament concluded. The organization also announced grants benefiting community programs in 18 countries.
Shakira pledged royalties from “Dai Dai” to the fund, Sony Music agreed to match the first $250,000 raised, and the singer also donated one dollar from every ticket sold on her “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” tour.
The charitable mission gave the halftime show lasting significance beyond its entertainment value.
A New Era for the FIFA World Cup
The success of the FIFA halftime show, despite it being their first ever, demonstrated that football’s biggest event can embrace world-class entertainment without overshadowing the sport itself. By pairing legendary musicians, football icons, family-friendly characters, and a meaningful philanthropic cause, FIFA created a production that felt distinctly global rather than simply borrowing from the Super Bowl.
Combined with Jennifer Hudson’s powerful national anthem, the pre-match performances from Post Malone, Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, Laura Pausini, and Tom Cruise’s surprise appearance, the 2026 World Cup Final became far more than a championship match. It evolved into a worldwide celebration of music, culture, and football that set a new standard for future tournaments, and one that fans are likely to remember for years to come.
Watch the full performance…
Featured image: FIFA
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