Justin Bieber was one of the artists who was added at the last minute to the halftime show for the 2026 World Cup final. Although his inclusion generated excitement among fans of the event, his performance ended up sparking intense discussion on social media due to the choice of song he performed.
The Canadian singer shared the stage with internationally renowned artists such as Madonna, Shakira, and BTS during the first-ever halftime show at a World Cup final—a format that was new to the competition.
While the other artists delivered high-energy performances, Bieber chose to perform an acoustic version of “EVERYTHING HALLELUJAH,” a song that has gained immense popularity on TikTok in recent months.
His choice of song drew criticism from fans
The incident occurred while Spain and Argentina were tied 0-0 in a final marked by tension and the anticipation of millions of viewers around the world.
However, for a significant portion of the audience, the change in pace brought about by Bieber’s performance was not the most appropriate for a sporting event of this nature.
Numerous comments began to appear on the social media platform X in which users said that the performance had dampened the show’s energy, especially after the performances by the other guest artists.
Some comments pointed out that an acoustic ballad wasn’t the best choice for a show designed to maintain the excitement of a World Cup final, while others questioned why the singer didn’t choose one of his best-known, high-energy hits.
Among the most shared comments were posts in which some users wrote that “nothing gets the crowd more excited than a slow song with acoustic guitar by Justin Bieber,” while others claimed that the performance had dampened the show’s intensity.
There were also those who felt that the artist’s inclusion came across as a last-minute decision, arguing that his musical style clashed with the festive atmosphere that Madonna, Shakira, and BTS had created during their performances.
Several fans noted that Bieber’s repertoire includes numerous hits that would have been a better fit for a sporting event of this magnitude, and therefore questioned the choice of song performed.
There were also those who defended Justin Bieber’s performance
Despite the criticism, the Canadian singer’s performance also received positive reviews.
Some users noted that Justin Bieber was one of the few artists who performed his song with an emphasis on live vocals, highlighting the quality of his onstage performance.
For many fans, the singer delivered a performance that stood out from the rest of the lineup, once again demonstrating his skills as a performer, regardless of the style of the song he chose.
As a result, the Canadian artist’s performance ended up dividing opinions between those who were expecting a high-energy show and those who appreciated the more intimate performance he delivered during the event.
Justin Bieber’s appearance was announced just a few weeks before the decisive game, after Madonna, Shakira, and BTS had initially been confirmed to perform as part of the historic halftime show.
The news sparked excitement among fans, including some figures closely associated with soccer.
Among them was Inés García, the partner of Spanish soccer player Lamine Yamal, who shared the announcement of the singer’s participation on Instagram and posted a message addressed to the player.
In his post, he wrote: “Honey, do whatever it takes to make it to the finals. Are you listening to me? Whatever it takes.”
In the end, Spain advanced to the championship game after defeating France in the semifinals and went on to play a historic final against Argentina—a match in which Justin Bieber delivered one of the most talked-about performances of the entire day, thanks to the reactions it sparked among millions of viewers around the world.