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This article was first published on July 19, 2026 by FOX 5 Atlanta (WAGA) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.

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This story was reported by Nick Viviani at FOX 5 Atlanta (WAGA) - News.

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Shakira, Justin Bieber, Muppets take stage for World Cup halftime

By Nick Viviani at FOX 5 Atlanta (WAGA) - News · July 19, 2026 · 1 min read

A star-studded World Cup halftime show began with one of pop music’s biggest stars joined by two of the biggest stars in Brazilian soccer history. Madonna kicked off the celebration by performing her 2000 dance-pop hit "Music," flanked by Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.

Why this matters in The Atlanta

The World Cup halftime show featuring Madonna, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho, among other stars, may seem like a distant event, but its impact can be felt in Atlanta's own vibrant soccer community. With a growing number of residents from diverse backgrounds, including a sizable Brazilian population, the city's interest in soccer is on the rise. Local soccer fields and parks, such as those in Fulton County, are likely to see an increase in activity, as fans inspired by the World Cup take to the pitch. Furthermore, the star-studded halftime show may also draw attention to Atlanta's own entertainment venues, which could potentially host similar high-profile events in the future, bringing revenue and exposure to the city. As the World Cup continues to captivate audiences worldwide, Atlanta's residents can expect to see a surge in local soccer enthusiasm and potentially even more international events coming to the city.

About this story

Original reporting by FOX 5 Atlanta (WAGA) - News. The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit FOX 5 Atlanta (WAGA) - News. Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: local · Published: July 19, 2026 · Source: FOX 5 Atlanta (WAGA) - News · Reading time: 1 min

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Every story on The Atlanta is curated, fact-checked against the original publisher's reporting, and contextualized for our readers. We do not republish full articles — we link back to the source, summarize the key facts under fair use, and add the local or topical relevance that our audience needs. Our editorial standards and corrections policy are public: see theatlanta.org/editorial-standards.

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The Atlanta is published by Nexcom Media as part of the Nexcom Media Network. We launched in 2024 and have grown to cover Atlanta GA news, Atlanta Public Schools, Midtown High School, Atlanta. Our reporting is supported by display advertising, sponsorships, and reader donations — with sponsored placements clearly attributed. Read our ownership disclosures at theatlanta.org/ownership.

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