Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy was among the headline performers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, taking part in FIFA’s first-ever halftime show as Spain faced Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The Grammy-winning singer joined Colombian superstar Shakira to perform the tournament’s official anthem, “Dai, Dai,” during the interval of the highly anticipated final.
The performance marked another milestone for Burna Boy, whose global influence continues to grow through major international events.
The duo had earlier appeared together during the tournament’s opening ceremony, but for the halftime show, they were joined by Uganda’s renowned dance group, the Ghetto Kids, who added energetic choreography to the performance.
Star-Studded Entertainment Marks New Era for FIFA
The halftime entertainment featured several internationally recognised performers and football legends.
Pop icon Madonna opened the show shortly after the first half ended in a goalless draw, while Justin Bieber later performed an acoustic version of “Everything Hallelujah.”
Adding to the excitement, Brazilian football greats Ronaldo and Ronaldinho drove onto the pitch to loud applause from fans inside the packed stadium.
Both members of Brazil’s 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning squad had remained visible throughout the tournament despite Brazil’s elimination in the round of 16.
The show, curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, lasted 27 minutes and 19 seconds, significantly longer than the standard 15-minute halftime break outlined in FIFA’s match regulations.
The extended interval formed part of FIFA’s efforts to introduce a new entertainment experience during its biggest football event, alongside other changes implemented throughout the tournament.
Mixed Reactions Trail Extended Halftime Show
While many viewers welcomed the introduction of halftime entertainment, others questioned whether extending the interval could affect the rhythm of the match.
Former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo, who served as a pundit during the final, supported the idea but said it should not alter the official duration of football matches.
“I would love to see more of it as long as it doesn’t eat into the stipulated duration of the game,” Yobo said.
Former England striker Ian Wright also shared his thoughts on the event, making a light-hearted remark about Ronaldinho’s appearance.
“Ronaldinho’s tracksuit looked massive,” Wright joked.
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Meanwhile, former Manchester United captain Roy Keane admitted the entertainment did not fully meet his expectations, although he praised one aspect of the show.
“It was a bit of an anti-climax, but listen, it’s so nice to see Shakira,” Keane said.
Despite the differing opinions, Burna Boy’s appearance at FIFA’s inaugural World Cup halftime show added another landmark achievement to his international career and reinforced the growing influence of African music on the world’s biggest sporting stages.
