Star-studded Halftime Show Set to Dazzle at World Cup 2026 Final

WHO:

Yahoo - Performers at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show include Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, Burna Boy, and BTS.

AOL.com - The halftime show was curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay.

Global Citizen - Gustavo Dudamel conducted a combined orchestra featuring the New York Philharmonic and Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, along with the PS22 Chorus.

WHAT:

E! News - The halftime show featured a performance by Muppet band Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, who performed The White Stripes’ iconic “Seven Nation Army.”

Global Citizen - The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund has already raised $60 million through ticket sales and donations.

Time Out Worldwide - The collectibles program is led by the New York New Jersey Host Committee, with FIFA receiving less than five percent in royalties for licensing its branding.

Time Out Worldwide - The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority spent over $13 million on the temporary natural grass pitch for the tournament.

Time Out Worldwide - Pieces of the natural grass pitch used for the World Cup final are on sale, priced between $450 and $3,000.

Time Out Worldwide - The entry-level collectible costs $450 and includes a small fragment of the field, preserved in clear acrylic with World Cup branding, the venue, match date, and final score.

Time Out Worldwide - Higher-priced editions include extras like commemorative tickets, replica match balls, and a crystal-cut World Cup trophy replica, with each pricing tier limited to 2,026 pieces.

Time Out Worldwide - The collectibles are being produced by U.K. memorabilia company Keep Stub and are available to buyers in the U.S. and parts of Europe.

Yahoo - The halftime show featured appearances by Gustavo Dudamel conducting a combined New York Philharmonic and Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, the PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay, Ghetto Kids, Emmanuel Kelly, and Sesame Street characters Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy.

E! News - The halftime show included a performance by Muppet band Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, who performed The White Stripes’ iconic “Seven Nation Army.”

AOL.com - Justin Bieber performed “Everything Hallelujah” from his 2025 album Swag II during the halftime show.

Global Citizen - The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund aims to raise $100 million to expand access to education and sports for children worldwide, with $60 million already raised through ticket sales and donations.

E! News - The halftime show featured a performance by Madonna, who drove into the stadium performing her track “Music,” alongside Brazil national team legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.

AOL.com - The halftime show included a performance of “Dai Dai,” the official song of the 2026 World Cup, by Shakira and Burna Boy.

Global Citizen - The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund has already raised $60 million through ticket sales and donations.

Time Out Worldwide - Pieces of the natural grass pitch used for the World Cup final are on sale, priced between $450 and $3,000.

Time Out Worldwide - The entry-level collectible costs $450 and includes a small fragment of the field, preserved in clear acrylic with World Cup branding, the venue, match date, and final score.

Time Out Worldwide - Higher-priced editions include extras like commemorative tickets, replica match balls, and a crystal-cut World Cup trophy replica, with each pricing tier limited to 2,026 pieces.

Time Out Worldwide - The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority spent over $13 million on the temporary natural grass pitch for the tournament.

Time Out Worldwide - The collectibles program is led by the New York New Jersey Host Committee, with FIFA receiving less than five percent in royalties for licensing its branding.

Yahoo - The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show is the first-ever halftime show in World Cup history.

E! News - The artists performing at the halftime show were paid $0, as the event was part of a charitable effort.

AOL.com - The halftime show lasted 11 minutes and featured performances of various songs, including Madonna's "Music" and BTS's "Dynamite."

Global Citizen - The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund aims to raise $100 million to expand access to education and sports for children worldwide.

WHERE:

Yahoo - The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final took place at MetLife Stadium, also referred to as New York New Jersey Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

WHEN:

Yahoo - The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, with kickoff at 3 p.m. ET and the halftime show expected to begin at approximately 3:45 p.m. ET.

AOL.com - The halftime show occurred during the championship match on July 19.

WHY:

Time Out Worldwide - The controversy intensified after some reports suggested that the collectibles would generate more than $11 million if every edition sold out. FIFA pushed back on those claims, saying the numbers were misleading.

Global Citizen - The halftime show supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to provide education and sports access for children in underserved communities.

HOW:

The Hollywood Reporter - Director Hamish Hamilton described the production as “challenging beyond challenging” due to the inaugural nature of the halftime show and the logistics involved, noting that there were many unanswered questions and a huge amount of nervousness.

The Hollywood Reporter - Director Hamish Hamilton described the production as “challenging beyond challenging” due to the inaugural nature of the halftime show and the logistics involved, noting that there were many unanswered questions and a huge amount of nervousness.

The Hollywood Reporter - Hamilton stated that the halftime show was a “gargantuan kind of logistical undertaking” and acknowledged the skepticism from soccer fans around the globe regarding the need for the show.

The Hollywood Reporter - Director Hamish Hamilton described the production as “challenging beyond challenging” due to the inaugural nature of the halftime show and the logistics involved.

The Hollywood Reporter - The halftime show was directed by Hamish Hamilton, who described the production as "challenging beyond challenging" due to its inaugural nature and the logistics involved.

The Hollywood Reporter - The show was produced in partnership with Global Citizen and Done + Dusted, reflecting a blend of music and global culture.

In a vibrant halftime show, Muppet band Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem took the stage to perform The White Stripes’ iconic “Seven Nation Army.” Meanwhile, the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund has impressively raised $60 million through ticket sales and donations, while collectibles from the World Cup final are now available, with prices ranging from $450 to $3,000. Director Hamish Hamilton described the production of the halftime show as “challenging beyond challenging,” highlighting the complexities and nervousness surrounding this inaugural event.