Hamish Hamilton, the veteran director behind numerous Super Bowl halftime shows, the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony and multiple awards ceremonies, has described directing the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show as one of the toughest projects of his career. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter the morning after the show, which took place before the Spain-Argentina final on 19 July 2026 at New York's MetLife Stadium, Hamilton said the lack of precedent made it "challenging beyond challenging", noting that unlike the well-established Super Bowl format, this event came with countless unresolved logistical questions.

The 11-minute show featured a packed line-up including Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira, Burna Boy, a Gustavo Dudamel-led orchestra, the PS22 Choir and the Muppets, and ran without technical hitches despite challenges such as strong natural daylight and performing on grass rather than the artificial turf MetLife Stadium normally uses for NFL games. Coldplay's Chris Martin curated the show as part of a long-held Global Citizen vision, though it also faced scepticism from football fans worldwide, who questioned the need for a concert and worried about its impact on the traditionally brief 15-minute halftime break.