The inaugural halftime spectacle at the 2026 World Cup Final commenced with Madonna performing the song “Music makes the people come together.” However, the online response to the 11-minute-43-second extravaganza of star-studded performances was mixed.
To give a brief overview, the 67-year-old music icon initiated the Super Bowl-style presentation in vibrant hues on Sunday, arriving in a jeep driven by Brazilian soccer legends Ronaldinho and Ronaldo, before joining them on the field. She then handed the spotlight to the Muppets band, Electric Mayhem, who, alongside Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel, delivered a rendition of The White Stripes’ iconic track “Seven Nation Army.” This was followed by a dynamic showcase from K-pop sensations BTS, who illuminated MetLife Stadium with their 2020 hit “Dynamite.”
Post their field performance, the cameras shifted focus to Jason Sudeikis in his Ted Lasso persona and Brendan Hunt as Coach Beard, strolling and discussing the idea of introducing a substitute with “some heart” and “some soul,” eventually welcoming Justin Bieber. The 32-year-old singer stripped down the production with an acoustic guitar rendition of his 2025 hit “Everything Hallelujah.”
Shakira then brought back the energy with her signature moves, teaming up with Burna Boy for their World Cup anthem “Dai Dai.” The show concluded on an emotional note with the PS22 Chorus, a choir comprising elementary school students from Staten Island, N.Y., performing “We Dance,” supported by Dudamel and joined by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, who curated the entire show, along with Shakira, the Muppets, Justin Bieber, and other artists.
In football, halftime traditionally serves for player rest, with regulations by the International Football Association Board restricting the break to 15 minutes. However, Sunday’s halftime extended to 27 minutes and 19 seconds, delaying the resumption of the Argentina vs. Spain final and leaving numerous fans and purists dissatisfied.
Several X viewers criticized both the concept and length of the show, with opinions varying from disappointment to appreciation for the diverse lineup. Notably, former England player Wayne Rooney bluntly labeled the show as “crap” during the BBC’s coverage.