The inaugural halftime spectacle at the 2026 World Cup Final commenced with Madonna belting out the opening lines, “Music makes the people come together.” However, the online response to the 11-minute-43-second array of star-studded performances was mixed.
On Sunday, the 67-year-old pop icon started the Super Bowl-like show in vivid colors, arriving in a jeep escorted by Brazilian soccer icons Ronaldinho and Ronaldo before joining them on the field. She then handed the spotlight to the Muppets band, Electric Mayhem, who delivered a rendition of The White Stripes’ iconic track “Seven Nation Army” alongside Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Following that, K-pop sensations BTS set MetLife Stadium ablaze with their 2020 hit “Dynamite.”
After a vibrant dance routine, the cameras shifted to Jason Sudeikis as his character Ted Lasso and Brendan Hunt as Coach Beard. As they wandered across the field, they deliberated on bringing in a substitute with “some heart” and “some soul,” eventually introducing Justin Bieber. The 32-year-old singer stripped down the production with an acoustic guitar performance of his 2025 hit “Everything Hallelujah.”
Shakira and her iconic hip movements revived the energy by teaming up with Burna Boy for their World Cup anthem “Dai Dai.” The show wrapped up on an emotional note with the PS22 Chorus, a choir comprising elementary school students from Staten Island, N.Y., performing “We Dance” with backing from Dudamel and joined by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, who curated the entire performance alongside Shakira, the Muppets, Justin Bieber, and other artists.
In soccer, halftime is typically designated for player rest, with rules from the International Football Association Board stipulating a 15-minute break. However, Sunday’s halftime extended to 27 minutes and 19 seconds, delaying the Argentina versus Spain final and disappointing many fans and traditionalists.
Several viewers criticized both the concept and duration of the show, expressing dissatisfaction with the disruption to the game’s atmosphere. However, not all feedback was negative, with some viewers appreciating the diverse lineup of acts. Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher even chimed in, acknowledging the show’s impact on him.
While opinions were divided, some viewers defended the halftime show, emphasizing the unifying power of music and praising Madonna’s energetic finale performance. Comparisons were drawn between the World Cup Halftime Show and the Super Bowl halftime show, with varying perspectives on which was superior.
Former England player Wayne Rooney bluntly described the show as “crap” during BBC’s coverage, adding another layer to the polarized reactions from fans and pundits alike.