Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and BTS perform at World Cup half-time show

July 19, 2026 No Comments

Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and BTS perform at World Cup halftime showImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Madonna began the World Cup’s halftime showByMadeline HalpertPublished19 July 2026, 19:09 BSTUpdated 2 minutes agoPop superstar Madonna and Justin Bieber have entertained the thousands of spectators at the 2026 World Cup halftime show.Madonna sung her hit song Music – seeming to appear from tunnels under the arena. Justin Bieber, BTS and Shakira also wowed the crowds. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Justin Bieber played guitar in his segmentWatch closing ceremony and build-up before Spain face Argentina in World Cup final

Colombian pop star Shakira and Nigerian musician Burna Boy reunited on stage after performing together at the tournament’s opening ceremony in Mexico City last month.

Their collaboration, Dai Dai, has been a global chart hit and has been a fixture in stadiums throughout the tournament.

K-Pop group BTS have been making their comeback from a three-year music hiatus to complete their mandatory military service in South Korea. The band is currently in the midst of an 85-date world tour.

The halftime show has been curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin and will raise money for the Fifa Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative working to raise $100m (£73m) for children worldwide.

Shakira dancing in a pink, yellow, orange and red flowing outfit with back-up dancers — Image caption,

Shakira and Burna Boy performed their song Dai Dai

South Korean K-pop group BTS performs — Image caption,

South Korean K-pop group BTS

Earlier, a range of performances began the sporting event’s closing ceremony, including Jennifer Hudson singing the national anthem and a speech from actor Tom Cruise.

Streamer IShowSpeed took to the field at the New York New Jersey Stadium first, alongside drummers and dancers in vibrant tracksuits.

Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and Italian Singer Laura Pausini also performed together, while rapper and singer Post Malone also performed his hit song Wow.

Tom Cruise speaks before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina — Image caption,

Tom Cruise spoke about the power of football to unite people

Image caption,

Jennifer Hudson sings the national anthem before the match

Ahead of kick-off, multi-award-winning singer and actor Jennifer Hudson performed the US national anthem, accompanied by a live band.

After the performances, Tom Cruise took to the stage to introduce the match.

“From every corner of the globe, we have witnessed greatness, and we have shared in moments of joy,” he told the crowd. “Football is a language spoken without words, a force that unites people.”

Post Malone and Swae Lee perform during the closing ceremony before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina — Image caption,

Post Malone was joined by rapper Swae Lee to sing their hit song Sunflower

Italian singer Pausini told the BBC’s Carl Nasman that she’s “very excited” and “proud” to be performing alongside Williams and Scherzinger at the closing ceremony.

“When Robbie [Williams] invited me to sing with him, I felt goosebumps everywhere because Robbie’s one of my favorite singer, songwriter, and performer,” Pausini told the BBC.