The first ever FIFA World Cup halftime show gave fans plenty to talk about, and Justin Bieber ended up at the center of the conversation after performing an unexpected song during the 2026 final between Spain and Argentina.
With the match still scoreless at halftime after a tense opening 45 minutes, the spotlight shifted from the field to the massive stage set up inside MetLife Stadium.
Bieber appeared as part of the star packed halftime lineup and performed Everything Hallelujah, a track released in 2025 on his album Swag II.
The mellow, slow paced song immediately caught viewers off guard. Many fans had expected Bieber to choose one of his biggest upbeat hits for such a high energy sporting event, and social media quickly filled with confused reactions.
One viewer joked:
“Justin Bieber picked the 86th most famous song in his catalogue for the halftime show. That was definitely a choice.”
Another wrote:
“What is this song choice? Bieber has completely killed the mood.”
Others questioned why he did not perform a track that the crowd could easily sing along with, with one fan posting:
“No way that’s the song you choose on the biggest stage in football.”
A fourth viewer added:
“This is a terrible song for Bieber to play.”
Not everyone was negative, but the overall reaction suggested that many fans felt the performance lacked the energy usually associated with a World Cup final.
The halftime show itself was a historic moment for FIFA. It was the first time the men’s World Cup featured a dedicated halftime concert, with the 11 minute production curated by Chris Martin. Alongside Bieber, the show included performances from Madonna, Shakira, and BTS, with additional appearances by Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus, and characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets.
The concert supported the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which is raising money to expand access to education and soccer programs for children around the world.
Still, Bieber’s set became one of the night’s biggest talking points. As Spain and Argentina prepared to return to the field, many viewers were still debating whether Everything Hallelujah was a bold artistic choice or simply the wrong song for a World Cup final audience.