World Cup halftime show dazzles with Madonna, BTS, Shakira, and Justin Bieber at MetLife Stadium
The 11-minute performance packed five major acts into a whirlwind spectacle featuring the Muppets and an orchestra conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.
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The World Cup's first halftime show delivered a packed lineup of global stars in an 11-minute spectacle at MetLife Stadium outside New York on Sunday, July 19.
Madonna opened the show with her 2000 hit "Music," riding into the stadium on a dune buggy alongside legendary Brazilian soccer players Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel led an orchestra through the White Stripes' sports anthem "Seven Nation Army" with the Muppets house band—including drummer Animal—providing furry accompaniment.
K-pop sensations BTS took the field moments later singing "Dynamite" following a nod to Norway's Viking heritage. Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt, in character from the upcoming season of "Ted Lasso," pumped up Justin Bieber, who performed "Everything Hallelujah" with an acoustic guitar and casual feel.
Shakira and Burna Boy followed with their official World Cup anthem "Dai Dai," heard before all 104 kickoffs during the tournament. The Colombian superstar performed barefoot in a dress of yellow and pink feathers surrounded by similarly clad dancers, including children. Shakira has made a genre of World Cup songs, including 2010's "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)." The show wrapped with the PS22 Chorus of elementary-school students from Staten Island, backed by Dudamel and joined by Coldplay's Chris Martin, along with Shakira and many more Muppets and "Sesame Street" characters.
Dudamel and about 40 musicians from the New York Philharmonic and Venezuela's Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra performed the musical arrangements, though the music was prerecorded Wednesday at the Manhattan Center.
By the numbers
How long was the World Cup halftime show?
The halftime show at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026 lasted 11 minutes and featured five major acts.
How many times was the World Cup anthem 'Dai Dai' played during the tournament?
'Dai Dai,' performed by Shakira and Burna Boy, was heard before all 104 kickoffs during the World Cup.
How many musicians performed the orchestral arrangements?
About 40 musicians from the New York Philharmonic and Venezuela's Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, performed the musical arrangements.
