The 2026 World Cup half-time show featured a star-studded lineup, including performances by Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and BTS, at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
The show, curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin, lasted 27 minutes and 22 seconds, making it the longest half-time show in World Cup history. It was part of the closing ceremony, which aimed to raise money for the Fifa Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative working to raise $100m (£73m) for children worldwide.
Madonna, a pop superstar, entertained the crowds by singing her hit song "Music" as she seemingly appeared from tunnels under the arena. She was joined by other notable performers, including Justin Bieber, BTS, and Shakira, who all wowed the spectators with their talents.
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Earlier in the ceremony, a range of performances began, including Jennifer Hudson singing the national anthem and a speech from actor Tom Cruise. Hudson's performance was accompanied by a live band, while Cruise took to the stage to introduce the match, 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."
Shakira and Nigerian musician Burna Boy reunited on stage after performing together at the tournament's opening ceremony in Mexico City last month. Their collaboration, "Dai Dai," has been a global chart hit and has been a fixture in stadiums throughout the tournament.
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BTS, a K-Pop group, have been making their comeback from a three-year music hiatus to complete their mandatory military service in South Korea. The band is currently in the midst of an 85-date world tour.
Not everyone was thrilled by the performances, however. Former England player Wayne Rooney, who was part of the commentary team for the BBC, said, "I like a lot of them artists, but I thought it was crap."
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The half-time show was just one part of the closing ceremony, which also included performances by streamer IShowSpeed, drummers and dancers in vibrant tracksuits, and a collaboration between Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and Italian singer Laura Pausini.
Italian singer Pausini told the BBC's Carl Nasman that she's "very excited" and "proud" to be performing alongside Williams and Scherzinger at the closing ceremony. "When Robbie [Williams] invited me to sing with him, I felt goosebumps everywhere because Robbie's one of my favorite singer, songwriter, and performer," Pausini said.
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The World Cup has come to a close, with Spain set to face Argentina in the final match. The tournament has been filled with memorable performances and moments of joy, and the closing ceremony was no exception.
Source: BBC Sports