Nigerian music superstar Burna Boy made history on Sunday after performing at FIFA’s first-ever World Cup final halftime show alongside Colombian singer Shakira during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
Held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the performance marked a historic shift for football’s biggest tournament as FIFA introduced a Super Bowl-style halftime entertainment spectacle.
Burna Boy and Shakira performed the tournament’s official anthem, “Dai, Dai,” accompanied by Uganda’s celebrated dance group, Ghetto Kids, who also featured in the World Cup opening ceremony.
The entertainment lineup also included global music icons Madonna and Justin Bieber, while Brazilian football legends Ronaldo Nazário and Ronaldinho made special appearances to the delight of fans inside the packed stadium.
Curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, the halftime show lasted 27 minutes and 19 seconds, significantly longer than the traditional halftime interval in FIFA matches.
The innovation has generated mixed reactions across the football world.
Former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo welcomed the concept but urged FIFA to ensure entertainment does not affect the flow of the game.
“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 offered a light-hearted reaction, while ex-Manchester United captain Roy Keane admitted he was left underwhelmed.
“It was a bit of an anti-climax, but listen, it’s so nice to see Shakira,” Keane said.
FIFA’s decision to stage its first-ever World Cup halftime show represents one of several innovations introduced during the expanded 2026 tournament and could signal a new era of entertainment at football’s biggest event.
