Nigerian Afrobeats heavyweight Burna Boy made history last night by becoming the first African artist to headline a FIFA World Cup final halftime show, sharing the spotlight with Shakira during an 11-minute set at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Key takeaways
- Burna Boy and Shakira co-headlined the World Cup final’s halftime entertainment at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
- The pair delivered “Dai Dai,” the official song for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- The halftime show marked the first time the FIFA World Cup final featured a halftime performance of this kind.
- Funds from “Dai Dai” support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund’s $100 million fundraising goal.
- The closing ceremony earlier in the evening included appearances from Jennifer Hudson, Tom Cruise, and additional global musical acts.
Historic halftime at the World Cup final
Burna Boy and Shakira took to the stage to perform “Dai Dai,” the official soundtrack track for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, during the landmark first-ever halftime show at a World Cup final. The entertainment took place between the two halves of the Argentina versus Spain title match.
The moment continued the momentum from the duo’s previous collaboration at the tournament’s opening ceremony in Mexico City in June, where they also appeared together.
Star-studded lineup supporting education funding
The halftime programme extended beyond the co-headliners, with Madonna, BTS, and Justin Bieber also featuring, along with conductor Gustavo Dudamel. The show included Uganda’s Ghetto Kids, the PS22 Chorus, and Coldplay among the other acts, all presented in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
“Dai Dai” was released in May and fuses Afrobeats with Latin pop. The track is the leading song from the tournament’s official album, with proceeds directed toward the education fund’s target of raising $100 million.
Ceremony performances before kick-off and match introduction
Earlier, the event’s closing ceremony began with a series of high-profile performances. Jennifer Hudson sang the national anthem, and actor Tom Cruise delivered a speech as part of the pre-match build-up.
At the New York New Jersey Stadium, streamer IShowSpeed also appeared first, stepping onto the field alongside drummers and dancers dressed in vibrant tracksuits.
Additional performances came from Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and Italian singer Laura Pausini, who performed together. Post Malone also took the stage to play his hit song “Wow.”
Ahead of kick-off, Jennifer Hudson—an acclaimed singer and actor—again performed the US national anthem, this time backed by a live band.
After the music concluded, Tom Cruise returned to introduce the match, telling the crowd: “From every corner of the globe, we have witnessed greatness, and we have shared in moments of joy. Football is a language spoken without words, a force that unites people.”
