Canadian singer Justin Bieber sent his faith-infused song "Everything Hallelujah" trending globally after performing an acoustic rendition during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final halftime show in New Jersey on July 19.
Following the broadcast, global daily streams for the track on Spotify jumped by approximately 240%, while terms such as "Justin Bieber Hallelujah" and "Justin Bieber Hallelujah song" spiked on Google Trends as viewers worldwide sought out the performance.
Bypassing his signature pop hits like "Baby" and "Sorry," Bieber took the stage with an acoustic guitar during the championship match between Spain and Argentina, delivering an intimate, understated performance that emerged as a central highlight of the event.
Co-curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, the production marked the first official entertainment halftime show in World Cup history. The 11-minute musical showcase brought together artists across generations and genres—including Madonna, South Korean group BTS, Shakira, Nigerian singer Burna Boy, and Bieber—with stage assembly and breakdown extending the halftime break to nearly 27 minutes.
Madonna opened the show with her hit "Music," followed by BTS with "Dynamite." Actor Jason Sudeikis then made a surprise appearance in character as "Ted Lasso" to introduce Bieber.
Departing from the heavy choreography, flashing lights, and visual effects of the preceding acts, Bieber appeared with a single guitar. FIFA noted that Bieber incorporated modified lyrics written specifically for the World Cup, while international media outlets highlighted the stark contrast between his quiet set and the surrounding spectacle.
Featured on Bieber's 2025 album Swag II, "Everything Hallelujah" blends gospel and soul influences. The song uses "Hallelujah"—derived from the Hebrew phrase meaning "Praise the Lord"—as a recurring refrain to express gratitude for family, nature, and everyday moments of grace.
Bieber has frequently spoken about his Christian faith and his early struggles with global fame, sharing in past interviews that his faith centers not on earning acceptance through performance, but on receiving grace and forgiveness in human weakness.
Reporting on social media reactions, Rolling Stone noted mixed viewer responses: while some audiences felt a quiet ballad was overly subdued for a sports final, many others remarked that the contrast made the repeated refrain of "Hallelujah" particularly memorable, prompting global listeners to discover the song and its underlying message.
