Madonna, Shakira and Justin Bieber's World Cup halftime performances spark debate as awkward point made
It's been just over 12 hours since the commencement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, but football fans are still reeling from one aspect of the festivities.
Of course, by now, we know that Spain are officially World Champions after edging out Argentina 1-0 in a nail-biting final.
The match looked destined for penalties following a slow 90 minutes, until Spain found the breakthrough during extra time, leaving Argentina heartbroken after an impressive tournament run.
Aside from the 'beautiful game', the competition itself had been plagued by controversies, including over sky-high ticket prices, with fans accusing FIFA of pricing out supporters through dynamic pricing, and immigration, after several players, officials and referees faced visa issues.
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US President Donald Trump also sparked fresh controversy after appearing to take credit for FIFA overturning a red card suspension that would have ruled an American player out of a knockout match.
Then, there was the half-time show.
Seemingly by the Super Bowl version, organisers pitched a half-time concert as a way to make the final an even bigger global entertainment event.
Despite this, many football fans weren't convinced, with some critics arguing the addition was another sign that the tournament was becoming increasingly commercialised, accusing organisers of prioritising spectacle over sport in a bid to appeal to American audiences.
Others felt entertainment clashed with football's traditions, with supporters insisting the World Cup final should be about the match itself, not an excuse to bring out big-name stars.
Despite this, the show did go on, and Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, The Muppets, Shakira and more musicians took to the stage for their own small segment of the fun.
By the sounds of fan reaction outside the States, however, the 27-minute charade left a very sour taste.
"Congrats, FIFA; this halftime show is somehow worse than expected," one X user hit out. "Everyone getting one song with horrible transitions and Justin Bieber acoustic. MESS all around."
Another claimed: "First off, this song annoyed the hell out of me, idk why, I don't like it. Second... we play football, not American football; there should be no half-time show, it's not a thing in football.
"Yeah NFL viewers please keep you're half time show, actual football does not need this s**t."
A third agreed: "I cynically thought the half-time show would be bad. But it was far, far worse than I could ever have imagined."
"Football doesn't need half-time show," another demanded. "This isn't the Super Bowl."
"Call me woke but let’s never do this final half-time show thing again," one user went on.
Another confessed: "I've never deeped how surreal it is to have a half-time show, there's football to be played, and you're singing???"
Someone else penned: "Imagine being a footballer playing the biggest game of your life and having to keep stretching in the dressing room for half an hour because this is happening."
World Cup final halftime show artists ranked by their net worth
FIFA has put on an absolutely packed halftime show, with Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber and BTS co-headlining.
But onto the most important question: whose bank account is the healthiest…?
Here they are, ranked from very rich to very, very, very rich.
Gustavo Dudamel - $10 million
One of the lesser-known faces in the halftime show, Dudamel is a conductor and violinist who is leaving the Los Angeles Philharmonic for the New York Philharmonic in September.
Long story short, he’s not the kind of guy you’d expect to perform alongside Shakira and Justin Bieber.
According to Sportskeeda, he’s worth $10 million.
Burna Boy - $22 million
The Afrobeats artist has collaborated with Ed Sheeran, Dave and Shakira on hit songs, the latter being the 2026 World Cup anthem ‘Dai Dai’.
He’s worth a cool $22 million, according to Love Money.
BTS - $150 million to $350 million collectively
Recently back from a hiatus after completing compulsory military service, the K-pop group’s inclusion in the halftime show is sure to delight many.
Of the seven members, V is said to be the wealthiest, worth between $38 million and 40 million according to the Economic Times.
Collectively, they’re worth between $150 million and $350 million.
Justin Bieber - $200 million
Bieber made a generational comeback earlier this year at Coachella, marking his biggest live show in four years - and it certainly got everyone talking.
Is the World Cup ready for his laptop and YouTube Premium account?
He’s worth $200 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, which happens to be the sum he sold his music back catalogue for back in 2023.
Shakira - $350 million
Her hips don’t lie, and neither do her paycheques. Shakira is the most successful Colombian artist in history, shifting over 100 million records worldwide.
Alongside Burna Boy, she’s responsible for the 2026 World Cup song ‘Dai Dai’, and who could forget 2010’s ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)’ for the South Africa World Cup.
She’s said to be worth $350 million, according to Marca.
Madonna - $850 million
Madonna is one of the wealthiest female musicians in history, with her latest album Confessions II dropping this month and naturally debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart.
With hits including ‘Like a Prayer’, ‘Papa Don’t Preach’ and ‘Like a Virgin’, it’s no surprise she’s absolutely rolling in it - she’s worth $850 million, according to Forbes.
Topics: World Cup, Entertainment, Football, Sport, US News
Rhianna Benson