Ronaldo, Ronaldinho Open 2026 World Cup Halftime Show With Madonna at MetLife

2 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 19

Ronaldo drove a dune buggy onto the MetLife Stadium pitch with Ronaldinho and Madonna to open the 2026 World Cup’s first-ever halftime show during Sunday’s final.
Madonna performed “Music” from the back of the buggy before the three stepped out and saluted the crowd, with the two Brazil greats wearing matching blue-and-yellow tracksuits.
The football cameo appeared aimed at traditionalists uneasy about the American-style spectacle, tying the show to World Cup history through the 2002 champions’ appearance.
BTS performed “Dynamite,” Shakira and Burna Boy sang “Dai Dai,” and Justin Bieber entered via a Ted Lasso skit in a star-heavy break FIFA had already promoted.