Bad Bunny's Super Bowl 2026 Halftime Show Sparks Controversy

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

For the first time, the NFL gave its Super Bowl halftime show stage to a performer who sang primarily in a language that most Americans do not understand. Bad Bunny's performance also included comments that were seen by some as undermining America's claim to the name 'America', sparking debate about national identity and linguistic imperialism.

Why it matters

The Super Bowl halftime show is one of the most watched television events in the United States, and the NFL's decision to feature a performer who sang in Spanish and made comments about the use of the term 'America' was seen by some as a controversial move that challenged traditional American cultural norms.

The details

During his performance, Bad Bunny said 'God bless America' towards the end, but he was referring to the continents of North and South America, not just the United States. He also commented in a pre-Super Bowl press conference that 'English is not my first language. But it's OK, it's not America's first language either.' This was seen by some as a critique of the dominance of the English language and American cultural hegemony.

• Bad Bunny performed the Super Bowl 2026 halftime show on February 10, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The NFL has not announced any plans for future Super Bowl halftime shows featuring non-English language performers.