The 2026 World Cup halftime show at the New York New Jersey Stadium featured a star-studded lineup, including pop sensation Shakira, who reunited on stage with Nigerian musician Burna Boy for a high-energy performance of their global chart hit Dai Dai.
Shakira's collaboration with Burna Boy was a highlight of the tournament's opening ceremony in Mexico City last month, and it's clear that their chemistry translates well to live performances. The halftime show, curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin, aimed to raise money for the Fifa Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative working to raise $100m (£73m) for children worldwide.
Meanwhile, K-Pop group BTS made a comeback from a three-year music hiatus to complete their mandatory military service in South Korea, and they've been making the most of their 85-date world tour. Their performance at the halftime show was just one of many high-profile gigs they've had throughout the tournament.
The halftime show was part of a larger closing ceremony that kicked off earlier with a range of performances, including Jennifer Hudson singing the US national anthem and a speech from actor Tom Cruise. Cruise's words captured the essence of the event, saying, "From every corner of the globe, we have witnessed greatness, and we have shared in moments of joy. Football is a language spoken without words, a force that unites people."
Italian singer Laura Pausini also took to the stage, performing alongside Nicole Scherzinger and Robbie Williams. Pausini told the BBC's Carl Nasman that she was "very excited" and "proud" to be performing alongside her fellow artists, and she credited Robbie Williams with making her feel "goosebumps everywhere" when he invited her to join the performance.
The halftime show was just one of many performances that took place at the New York New Jersey Stadium, and it's clear that the event was a celebration of music and football. As the tournament comes to a close, fans are eagerly awaiting the next big event.
The 2026 World Cup halftime show will be remembered as a momentous occasion, featuring some of the biggest names in music and football. As the curtain closes on the tournament, one thing is clear: the music and football communities will be looking forward to the next big collaboration.
Source: BBC