Pelé appears in halftime show of 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey

At the halftime of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, a video of Pelé’s famous 1977 speech was projected on the stadium screens, echoing his “Love, love, love” message. The tribute followed Shakira’s performance and highlighted the Brazilian legend’s enduring appeal.

Brazilian broadcaster CazéTV, which held exclusive rights to all matches of the tournament, used the event to showcase several viral moments. A campaign around Cape Verde goalkeeper “Vozinha” after his clean‑sheet draw against Spain pushed his Instagram followers from 50 000 to over one million. The channel also aired a series of on‑air jabs at rival Globo, underscoring the competitive media landscape surrounding the World Cup.

These moments illustrate how the tournament’s sporting spectacle intertwined with entertainment and social‑media dynamics across the United States, Brazil and Cape Verde.