Stars like Madonna, Justin Bieber and BTS performed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup halftime show on Sunday, but viewers didn’t see the craziness that took place behind the scenes.
“The dancers practiced, cheered and got excited for each other before taking to the pitch,” a source told Page Six. “At one point it was very busy backstage. Dancers on skates and performers with flags and other props were running around on and off stage. At one point it was difficult to get through.”
But despite the frenzy, it didn’t stop celebrities from taking to the field, with Madonna “smiling and excited” as she and her team headed to the performance.
“When Madonna returned from her performance, everyone backstage was cheering her on,” the source said.
Madonna appeared alongside Brazilian soccer legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho to perform a pre-recorded version of her 2000 hit “Music” for the first time.
After the Muppets played drums to the White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” BTS came out to play “Dynamite.”
Jason Sudeikis, who plays his iconic character Ted Lasso, then introduced Bieber, who performed “Everything Hallelujah.”
“Justin Bieber remained serious and focused for his performance,” a source said.
Page Six obtained exclusive video of BTS and Sudeikis making their way to and from the pitch in a crowded hall.
Shakira then took the stage with Burna Boy to sing “Die Die,” and Coldplay closed the show with Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus, a viral choir made up of New York fourth and fifth graders.
The halftime show received mixed reactions from viewers.
“It seems like 90 percent of Madonna is pre-recorded,” one X user claimed. “Bieber’s song selection was terrible. Hype, snooze, hype. I get the message of the halftime show, but oh well. It should have been just BTS and Shakira.”
“Shakira was basically the only one who understood this mission,” a second fan wrote on TikTok.
However, a third viewer defended the show, writing: “Loved every second.”
The performance didn’t end there, with Post Malone, Swae Lee, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and IShowSpeed performing at the closing ceremony. Jennifer Hudson sang the national anthem.
Meanwhile, Timothée Chalamet delivered the game ball and then enjoyed the game with girlfriend Kylie Jenner.
A-list celebrities, including stars such as Blake Lively, Adrien Brody, Matt Damon, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Alix Earle, Anna Wintour, David and Victoria Beckham, Jessica Alba and Danny Ramirez, gathered from across the country to watch Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in overtime.
