Rabat – The FIFA World Cup 2026 final introduced the tournament’s first-ever halftime show, turning the break between Argentina and Spain into a landmark entertainment event that brought together artists from different genres and generations on football’s biggest stage.
When the whistle announced the end of the first half, the spectacle was only getting started.
Lasting around 11 minutes, the halftime show continued the festive atmosphere that had already filled the stadium during the closing ceremony before kickoff.
Madonna kicks it off in style
The Queen of Pop, Madonna, inaugurated the show, emerging from inside the stadium tunnel before making her way onto the pitch.
Wearing a look from Saint Laurent, Madonna stunned in a pink-toned sporty jacket paired with a corset and coordinating short shorts, completed with lilac lace stockings. Her dark purple stompy boots added a striking contrast to the otherwise soft-toned look.
She was not alone though. Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho joined her, creating one of the night’s most unexpected crossovers between the worlds of football and music.
BTS brings K-Pop to the pitch
BTS joined the celebration, bringing their signature energy and choreography to the pitch.
Dressed in coordinated red-and-black looks, the Kpop superstars performed “Dynamite,” giving fans another high-energy moment to enjoy.
Justin Bieber slowed down the rhythm
Justin Bieber then shifted the mood with a quieter performance, slowing things down as he picked up his guitar for an acoustic rendition of “Everything Hallelujah.”
The stripped-back moment offered a softer change of pace within the fast moving spectacle.
Shakira turns up the heat
Then came one of the most anticipated moments with the Queen of Latin Pop. Colombian superstar Shakira took the stage in a vibrant yellow outfit decorated with pink motifs, bringing her unmistakable style and energy to the show.
Joined by Nigerian artist Burna Boy, she performed “Dai Dai,” the beloved official anthem of the FIFA World Cup 2026, adding another burst of energy to the celebration.
Burna Boy complemented the look with a white shirt, a gold chain, and a wool hat.
The performance was surrounded by Uganda’s Ghetto Kids, whose dancers matched Shakira’s vibrant yellow look and added even more movement to the stage.
Coldplay brings the show to a close
The show then took another turn with Coldplay’s “We Dance,” performed for the first time as part of the halftime spectacle.
The PS22 Chorus took the lead, while Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog joined the performance for one of the show’s most playful moments.
What do you think of the spectacle?
As the performance reached its final moments, the artists gradually came together on stage, with Shakira, BTS, Gustavo Dudamel, and others eventually gathering at the center for a collective finale.
Once again, music proved its ability to cross borders, bring different cultures together, and move effortlessly between the worlds of entertainment and sport.
And with that, the first half of the historic World Cup final gave way to the second, leaving the stadium with one last musical memory before the football resumed.
Read also: Post Malone, Robbie Williams Light Up World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony
