Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS, and Shakira each showcased snippets of their popular songs at the World Cup’s inaugural halftime show on Sunday, which also featured Burna Boy, Ted Lasso, and various Muppets. The performance, held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, aimed to infuse a Super Bowl-like atmosphere into the World Cup, offering an action-packed 11-minute spectacle with multiple headliners compared to the usual 13-minute solo acts seen at American football events.
Madonna kicked off the show with her 2000 hit track “Music,” accompanied by former Brazilian soccer legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. The performance began with a pre-recorded segment at a roller rink before Madonna made a grand entrance into the stadium on a dune buggy, belting out the lyrics, “Music makes the people come together.”
Conductor Gustavo Dudamel led an orchestra through the White Stripes’ hit “Seven Nation Army,” while the Muppets band, featuring drummer Animal, provided lively accompaniment. K-pop sensations BTS followed suit, dressed in red and black attire, delivering a performance of “Dynamite” with a nod to Norway’s Viking rowing tradition.
Justin Bieber was then encouraged by Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt in their “Ted Lasso” personas to perform “Everything Hallelujah” with an acoustic guitar, creating a casual vibe. Shakira and Burna Boy concluded the show with their official World Cup anthem “Dai Dai,” with Shakira in a vibrant yellow and pink feathered outfit, surrounded by dancers and children.
The halftime show ended with the PS22 Chorus, consisting of elementary school students from Staten Island, NY, backed by Dudamel and joined by Chris Martin. The performance also featured a blend of Muppets and “Sesame Street” characters, including Kermit, Miss Piggy, Count von Count, and Cookie Monster.
In the closing ceremony, Jennifer Hudson, Robbie Williams, and others delivered a series of anthems, with Post Malone presenting both a classic hit and a new song. Tom Cruise wrapped up the pre-match festivities with a heartfelt speech, emphasizing the unity the tournament brought to the world. National anthems were performed live during the ceremony, including Jennifer Hudson’s rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and Spanish Brass playing Spain’s “La Marcha Real.” Argentina’s pop star María Becerra sang the country’s national anthem, “Himno Nacional Argentino,” in a dress reminiscent of the Argentine flag.
