FIFA’s first-ever World Cup halftime show featured Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira and Coldplay, but mixed fan reactions overshadowed its message promoting children’s education worldwide.
WEBDESK – SHARJAH NEWS
FIFA’s first-ever World Cup halftime show delivered a spectacle packed with some of the world’s biggest music stars, but the landmark production divided fans despite its powerful message of supporting children’s education across the globe.
Staged during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium, the 27-minute performance marked the first halftime entertainment show in the tournament’s 96-year history, signaling FIFA’s ambition to transform football’s biggest match into a global entertainment event.
The star-studded lineup included Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira, Burna Boy and Coldplay, bringing together pop, rock, K-pop and Latin music on one stage.
Madonna opens historic performance
The show began with Madonna performing her iconic 2000 hit Music, accompanied by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, blending football history with pop culture.
The energy quickly shifted as The Muppets’ Animal thrilled the crowd with a drum performance of The White Stripes’ stadium anthem Seven Nation Army, before global K-pop sensation BTS took over with an electrifying performance of Dynamite.
Actor Jason Sudeikis then appeared in character as Ted Lasso to introduce Justin Bieber, who performed an acoustic version of Everything Hallelujah while playing guitar.
Colombian superstar Shakira reignited the atmosphere with Nigerian artist Burna Boy, performing Dai Dai before Coldplay closed the show with an emotional finale led by frontman Chris Martin, joined by renowned Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel and New York’s PS22 Chorus.
Hundreds of schoolchildren wearing colorful football jerseys filled the field as a giant illuminated globe and the word “Love” lit up the stadium, symbolizing unity, hope and access to education.
Education campaign takes center stage
The halftime show was created to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aiming to raise $100 million to expand education and football opportunities for children around the world.
FIFA said the campaign has already raised more than $50 million, with $1 from every ticket sold during the 2026 World Cup donated to the initiative.
Chris Martin, who helped curate the production, said the performance was designed to celebrate humanity rather than individual celebrities.
“It’s a chance to show how amazing all different types of humans are,” Martin said. “This show is more about ‘we’ than ‘me.'”
Fans split over pacing and performances
Despite its charitable purpose and impressive lineup, reactions on social media were sharply divided.
Many viewers praised BTS, Shakira and Coldplay for delivering standout performances, while others described the overall production as lacking rhythm and a cohesive creative vision.
Several fans felt the rapid transitions between musical genres disrupted the show’s flow, with Justin Bieber’s acoustic performance and Madonna’s opening receiving mixed reviews.
Others argued that, despite the entertainment, the World Cup final itself remained the true highlight of the day.
Celebrity-filled World Cup final
The final attracted an extraordinary gathering of political leaders, athletes and Hollywood celebrities.
Among those attending were U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, actors Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Adrien Brody, Timothée Chalamet and entrepreneur Kylie Jenner.
The event further highlighted the growing convergence of sport, entertainment and global culture, with World Cup final tickets ranking among the world’s most sought-after live event passes.
While opinions on FIFA’s inaugural halftime show varied widely, the production marked a historic moment for international football, opening a new chapter in how the World Cup final is presented to billions of viewers worldwide.
