Madonna, Shakira, BTS, and Justin Bieber Reportedly Performed at the 2026 World Cup Halftime Show Without Receiving Appearance FeesThe halftime show at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final attracted global

The halftime show at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final attracted global attention not only for its star-studded lineup and large-scale production but also for an unexpected revelation behind the scenes. According to multiple international reports, Madonna, Shakira, BTS, and Justin Bieber did not receive traditional performance fees for taking part in what has been described as the first halftime show in the history of a FIFA World Cup final.

FIFA initially announced Madonna, Shakira, and BTS as the show’s three headline performers. Nearly two months later, Justin Bieber was officially added to the lineup. Despite being one of the highest-paid artists in the music industry, Bieber reportedly agreed to participate under the same arrangement as the other performers.

To date, neither FIFA nor the artists have disclosed their performance contracts, production budget, or specific financial terms related to the event. As a result, most information regarding the show’s costs continues to come from international media reports.

According to El País, Global Citizen confirmed to The Athletic that Madonna, Shakira, and BTS did not receive performance fees, instead donating their time in support of the organization’s social-impact initiatives. At the time of that confirmation, Justin Bieber had not yet been announced as part of the halftime lineup.

After Bieber officially joined the event, Athlon Sports, citing Marca, reported that the Canadian singer had also agreed to perform without a fixed appearance fee. Rather than paying the artists their standard concert rates, organizers reportedly covered production, transportation, logistics, and other operational expenses associated with the performance.

The reports also stated that performers may have received a modest rehearsal stipend before the show. However, neither the amount nor whether all artists were offered identical terms has been disclosed.

This year’s halftime show received extensive financial backing from major corporate partners. Shortly before the final, FIFA announced that Topps had secured the naming rights, officially branding the event as the FIFA World Cup 2026 Topps Final Halftime Show.

In addition to Topps, FIFA identified ADI Chain, Visa, Bank of America, DoorDash, Marriott Bonvoy, YouTube Music, and Kayford Holdings as commercial partners supporting the production. According to FIFA, these companies were integrated into the event through branding, promotional campaigns, and various production elements.

Marriott Bonvoy supported the appearance of Uganda’s Ghetto Kids during Shakira and Burna Boy’s performance. Meanwhile, YouTube Music obtained the rights to distribute the complete halftime show after its television broadcast, while other sponsors were featured through stadium activations and digital promotions.

Although the musical performance lasted approximately 11 minutes, it featured an impressive lineup of internationally renowned artists. Madonna opened the show with her hit song Music, making a dramatic entrance in a dune buggy driven by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.

Conductor Gustavo Dudamel then led musicians from New York and Venezuela in a performance of Seven Nation Army, accompanied by Electric Mayhem from The Muppets. BTS followed with their global hit Dynamite, before actors Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt appeared in character from Ted Lasso to introduce Justin Bieber.

Bieber performed an acoustic version of Everything Hallelujah, altering the closing lyrics to “World Cup Hallelujah” in honor of the tournament. Shakira and Burna Boy then took the stage together to perform Dai Dai, the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The finale featured Chris Martin, the PS22 Chorus, Gustavo Dudamel, and beloved characters from The Muppets and Sesame Street. While the musical portion lasted around 11 minutes, Reuters reported that the full halftime interval stretched to approximately 27 minutes to allow crews to install and dismantle the elaborate stage.

Shakira also made a separate charitable commitment tied to the World Cup. FIFA confirmed that all of her royalties from Dai Dai would be donated to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. In addition, Sony Music pledged to match the first $250,000 raised through the song.

The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund aims to raise $100 million to expand access to education and football programs for children worldwide. Before the World Cup final, FIFA announced that the initiative had already raised more than $60 million. The organization also pledged to contribute $1 from every ticket sold across all 104 matches of the tournament.

Madonna remains one of the most influential figures in pop music history. Across more than four decades in the entertainment industry, she has continuously set records in album sales, concert tours, and cultural influence. Alongside her remarkable career, Madonna has frequently generated headlines for her provocative performances, outspoken views on religion and politics, and several high-profile relationships.

Shakira has long been recognized as one of the world’s most successful Latin music artists. In addition to producing numerous international hits and performing at major football events, she has devoted significant efforts to philanthropy through her Pies Descalzos Foundation, which supports underprivileged children. Following her highly publicized split from former football star Gerard Piqué, Shakira continued to attract widespread attention by channeling her personal experiences into her music.

For BTS, the performance further reinforced the group’s global influence by placing them on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages. Following the members’ completion of their mandatory military service, the group has gradually resumed collective activities while maintaining its enormous international fanbase and involvement in charitable initiatives.

Justin Bieber also marked another major global appearance after prioritizing his health and personal life in recent years. The singer previously stepped back from touring after being diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome and addressing other physical and mental health challenges. More recently, Bieber has become increasingly selective about his public performances, choosing projects carefully while focusing on his family life with wife Hailey Bieber.

The reported decision by several of the world’s biggest music stars to perform without traditional appearance fees highlights that the 2026 World Cup halftime show was intended not only as a major entertainment spectacle but also as a platform supporting education and charitable causes. Although the event’s full production costs remain undisclosed, the performance has become one of the tournament’s defining moments while reinforcing the entertainment industry’s growing commitment to global social-impact initiatives.