Madonna, BTS, Burna Boy turn World Cup final into vibrant global concert

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium was more than just a football match.

It delivered a blockbuster entertainment spectacle watched by an estimated two billion people worldwide, featuring a star-studded pre-match ceremony and the first-ever halftime show in FIFA World Cup history.

The entertainment began 90 minutes before kickoff with a celebration of the tournament's 48 participating teams.

Internet personality IShowSpeed opened the show alongside dancers and drummers, performing his track "Champions".

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Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini later took to the stage, performing several songs, including the official FIFA anthem Desire.

Post Malone performed his new single Chrome Heartbreaker before bringing out Swae Lee for a rendition of their hit Sunflower. Jennifer Hudson then delivered a powerful performance of the United States national anthem.

Hollywood star Tom Cruise introduced the finalists, Spain and Argentina, while tennis champion Carlos Alcaraz and actress Jung Hoyeon carried the FIFA World Cup trophy onto the pitch.

The historic halftime show, curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in partnership with Global Citizen, featured a dazzling lineup of global stars.

Madonna opened the performance by arriving on the pitch in a vehicle driven by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, before performing her hit "Music".

Renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel followed with a stirring rendition of Seven Nation Army alongside members of the New York Philharmonic and The Muppets band.

K-pop superstars BTS then thrilled fans with a high-energy performance of Dynamite, before a light-hearted comedy segment featuring the cast of Ted Lasso. Justin Bieber slowed the tempo with an acoustic performance of Everything Hallelujah.

Shakira and Burna Boy reignited the atmosphere with the official 2026 FIFA World Cup song Dai Dai, joined on stage by Uganda's Ghetto Kids.

Coldplay closed the show with their new track We Dance, accompanied by a New York school choir, before all the performers returned to the field for a grand finale.

The final also attracted a host of celebrities, including A$AP Rocky, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams, Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, Anya Taylor-Joy, Will Ferrell and NBA star Victor Wembanyama.

United States President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino later presented the coveted FIFA World Cup trophy to Spain after the European nation defeated Argentina to lift its second World Cup title.