Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and BTS Perform at World Cup Half-Time Show

Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and BTS performed at the 2026 World Cup half-time show, captivating thousands of spectators. Madonna opened the show with her classic hit "Music," emerging from tunnels beneath the arena. Justin Bieber, alongside BTS and Shakira, thrilled the audience, marking the half-time performance as the longest in World Cup history at 27 minutes and 22 seconds.

During the show, Colombian pop star Shakira and Nigerian musician Burna Boy reunited on stage after their earlier collaboration at the tournament's opening ceremony in Mexico City last month. Their joint performance of "Dai Dai" has enjoyed significant success, resonating strongly at stadiums during the tournament.

K-Pop sensation BTS also made headlines with their return following a three-year hiatus for mandatory military service in South Korea. The band was actively touring internationally, currently engaged in an ambitious 85-date world tour. The half-time show was curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay and aimed to raise funds for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which seeks to secure $100 million for children worldwide.

The event saw an array of celebrities in attendance, including Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet, along with music icons Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Earlier in the day, the event's closing ceremony featured a series of performances, such as Jennifer Hudson singing the national anthem, while actor Tom Cruise delivered an inspiring speech.

Streamer IShowSpeed launched the performances, accompanied by vibrant dancers and drummers, followed by collaborative acts from Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and the Italian singer Laura Pausini. Additionally, Post Malone entertained the crowd with his song "Wow," joined by rapper Swae Lee for their hit "Sunflower."

In the lead-up to the match kick-off, Jennifer Hudson performed the U.S. national anthem with a live band, paving the way for Tom Cruise's speech where he highlighted the unifying power of football. "