BTS, Madonna and Bieber bring star power to World Cup half-time show
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K-pop stars BTS performing during the half-time show.
PHOTO: REUTERS
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey - Superstars BTS, Madonna, Justin Bieber and Shakira offered a high-energy musical medley on July 19 in the first half-time show at a World Cup final.
Madonna kicked off the Super Bowl-style show, one of several American elements added to this year's tournament, with a performance of her single Music.
She began singing from the tunnels of New York New Jersey Stadium before entering the venue via a dune buggy driven by Brazilian football greats Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
K-pop band BTS, clad in black-and-red outfits, followed with the upbeat Dynamite.
American actors Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt, in character as coaches from TV show Ted Lasso, introduced Bieber.
He slowed the tempo with the acoustic Everything Hallelujah, changing the song’s final words to “World Cup Hallelujah”.
Justin Bieber performing Everything Hallelujah during the half-time show.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Colombian singer Shakira and Nigeria’s Burna Boy joined for Dai Dai, the official song of the 2026 World Cup.
Ahead of the match, the half-time show drew criticism for deviating from the traditional 15-minute interval.
Shakira performing during the half-time show.
PHOTO: REUTERS
International Laws of the Game say players are entitled to a half-time interval “not exceeding 15 minutes”.
Tournament regulations, however, mention a 15-minute break but do not say it cannot exceed that time.
The musical performances lasted 11 minutes, but the entire break extended to around 27 minutes as workers moved equipment to and from the pitch. REUTERS