Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS and more stars performed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Halftime Show Sunday — but viewers didn’t see the behind-the-scenes frenzy that took place.
“Dancers practiced, cheered and hyped each other up before going to the pitch,” a source told Page Six. “It was hectic backstage at one point. Dancers on skates, performers holding flags and other props were running on and off stage. It was difficult to get through and move around at one point.”
However, the frenzy didn’t stop celebrities from making their way to and from the field, as Madonna was “smiling and excited” while heading in with her team to perform.
“When Madonna came back from her performance, everyone backstage cheered for her,” the insider said.
Madonna was the first to perform a pre-recorded piece of her 2000 hit “Music,” as she came out with Brazilian soccer legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
After the Muppets played the drums to the White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” BTS came out to perform “Dynamite.”
Jason Sudeikis — portraying his iconic character, Ted Lasso — then introduced Bieber, who performed “Everything Hallelujah.”
“Justin Bieber remained serious and focused heading to perform,” the insider said.
Page Six obtained exclusive video of BTS and Sudeikis making their way to and from the pitch in the crowded hall.
Shakira then took the stage with Burna Boy to sing “Dai Dai,” as Coldplay closed out the show with Gustavo Dudamel and PS22 Chorus, a viral choir of 4th and 5th graders from New York.
The halftime show received a divided response from viewers.
“90 percent Madonna seems prerecorded,” one X user claimed. “Bieber song selection was bad. Hype to snooze to hype. I get the message of the halftime show but cmon. Should’ve just been BTS and Shakira.”
A second fan took to TikTok to write, “So basically Shakira was the only one who understood the assignment.”
But a third viewer defended the show, writing, “I liked every second of it.”
The performances didn’t end there, as the Closing Ceremony featured Post Malone, Swae Lee, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and IShowSpeed. Jennifer Hudson performed the national anthem.
Meanwhile, Timothée Chalamet delivered the match ball — and later enjoyed the game with his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner.
A-list celebrities — including stars like Blake Lively, Adrien Brody, Matt Damon, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Alix Earle, Anna Wintour, David and Victoria Beckham, Jessica Alba and Danny Ramirez, and more — came from all over the country to watch Spain defeat Argentina 1-0 in overtime.
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