Spain–Argentina clash wasn't just about football, it had Madonna, Bieber, BTS and Shakira too

The blockbuster clash between football giants Argentina and Spain at New Jersey in the early hours of Monday had fans across the globe glued to the action. But when the referee blew the half-time whistle, the spotlight shifted from the pitch to a FIFA first, a full-fledged halftime show inspired by the Super Bowl.

Packed with global pop icons, football legends and surprise acts, the spectacle had plenty of wow moments. While some fans loved the entertainment, others questioned whether football really needed a lengthy halftime extravaganza. Debate aside, the show certainly got everyone talking.

Here's a look at the biggest performances:

Madonna
Who better to kick off FIFA's maiden halftime show than the Queen of Pop? Madonna made a grand entrance, emerging from the tunnel at the New York New Jersey Stadium in a dune buggy driven by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. Dressed in a striking pink corset paired with a sporty jacket, she launched into her 2000 chartbuster Music, instantly turning the stadium into a giant dance floor. "Music makes the people come together," she sang, backed by dazzling visuals and high-energy choreography. While the performance had all the glitz expected of a Madonna show, some viewers on social media the entire performance appeared pre-recorded. Even so, the pop icon delivered the kind of star power needed to set the tone for FIFA's historic halftime debut.

The Muppets

If Madonna brought the glam, The Muppets brought the fun. In one of the show's most unexpected highlights, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Animal, The Count, Floyd Pepper and Janice took centre stage alongside celebrated Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Together with an orchestra featuring musicians from New York and Venezuela and the Electric Mayhem band, they delivered a lively rendition of The White Stripes' Seven Nation Army.

With Animal's trademark chaotic drumming, Miss Piggy's larger-than-life presence and Kermit's unmistakable charm, the performance struck the perfect balance between nostalgia and pure entertainment, emerging as one of the halftime show's most memorable surprises.

BTS
The stadium erupted as BTS made a stylish entrance in coordinated black-and-red outfits, lighting up the halftime show with their global smash hit ‘Dynamite’. The feel-good anthem instantly lifted the atmosphere, with the group's trademark slick choreography and infectious energy getting the crowd on its feet. Kim Seok-jin added an extra spark, charming fans with playful winks at the camera as he belted out his parts. After a four-year hiatus, the South Korean supergroup has been back in the spotlight following their much-celebrated reunion earlier this year. Their FIFA halftime appearance only reinforced why their comeback has been one of pop culture's biggest moments, giving ARMY and football fans alike a performance to remember.

Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber took the halftime show in a completely different direction. Introduced as a surprise ‘substitution’ by American actors Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt in their Ted Lasso coach personas — ‘Go out there, don't be nervous, nobody's watching,’ Sudeikis joked — the Canadian pop star traded spectacle for simplicity. Armed with an acoustic guitar, Bieber performed ‘Everything Hallelujah’, even tweaking the closing line to ‘World Cup Hallelujah’. The stripped-back number stood in stark contrast to the high-octane performances that came before it.

The performance, however, divided opinion. For some, the slower, introspective song felt out of place at a football show built on adrenaline and celebration. Others saw it as a welcome change of pace, a reflective moment that resonated in a world grappling with conflict and uncertainty, with the song's message of hope and healing adding emotional depth to the spectacle.

Whether it was the right fit for a World Cup halftime show or not, Bieber's set ensured the event wasn't just about fireworks and dance routines. It offered a quieter, more contemplative moment amid the frenzy, making it one of the show's most talked-about performances.

Shakira and Burna Boy

Colombian singer Shakira and Nigeria's Burna Boy joined for ‘Dai Dai’, the official song of the 2026 World Cup. Shakira shimmered in a sequined pink-and-yellow outfit that complemented a multi-colored carpet underneath. The show ended with the word ‘LOVE’ splashed across the field, with an image of the Earth representing the letter O.

Ahead of the match, the halftime show drew criticism for deviating from the traditional 15-minute interval. International Laws of the Game say players are entitled to a halftime 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.

(With Reuters inputs)