For the first time in its storied history, the World Cup Final recently featured a full-scale halftime show, a significant departure from decades of tradition. Curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, the elaborate production assembled a roster of international stars from music, film, and classical conducting, quickly becoming one of the most talked-about elements of the tournament. The spectacle unfolded during the intermission of a highly anticipated match, where Argentina was pursuing a milestone not achieved since Brazil's consecutive titles in 1962.
"crap" — Wayne Rooney, Former England International and BBC Commentator
This year's World Cup had already set records as one of the most expensive and heavily attended tournaments in the sport's history. Despite the historic stakes on the field, the 27-minute halftime performance commanded global attention, shifting focus from the athletic contest to a grand entertainment production. Prior to the event, skepticism surrounded the introduction of intermission entertainment, given the World Cup's long-standing tradition of foregoing such spectacles. However, that skepticism largely dissipated once the performance concluded, replaced by a wave of diverse reactions.
The show featured a wide array of performers, including music icons Madonna, K-pop sensation BTS, the beloved Muppets, pop star Justin Bieber, Colombian superstar Shakira, Nigerian artist Burna Boy, and actor Jason Sudeikis reprising his popular role as Ted Lasso. Orchestral conductor Gustavo Dudamel also took on an unusual assignment, leading The Muppets through a rendition of "Seven Nation Army."
Madonna initiated her set from the players' tunnel, an unconventional start that garnered loud applause as she made her way to center stage. Following this, Dudamel's segment with The Muppets provided a unique blend of classical and puppet entertainment. BTS then joined the ensemble, performing their global hit "Dynamite," adding another layer of international appeal to the show. A tonal shift occurred with Sudeikis's appearance as Ted Lasso, who introduced a "substitution" that brought Justin Bieber onto the field. Bieber performed "Everything Hallelujah," a ballad he spontaneously modified to include references to the World Cup, further engaging the audience.
The energy surged with Shakira's arrival. She and collaborator Burna Boy delivered "Dai Dai," the tournament's official anthem, supported by a full ensemble of dancers who maintained a lively pace. The show concluded with a quieter segment featuring children on the field, singing a number centered on "love," joined by Martin and several other performers, offering a contrast to the high-energy acts that preceded it.
Public reaction to the show was sharply divided. One significant contingent praised the production's clarity and momentum, frequently drawing comparisons to recent Super Bowl halftime performances, such as the one headlined by Bad Bunny. Multiple observers noted that the World Cup show was "easier to follow" and possessed "more energy" in comparison.
Conversely, a separate group of viewers focused on the show's runtime. Approximately 27 minutes elapsed between the end of the first half and the start of the second, a duration that drew criticism from fans eager for the match to resume. Wayne Rooney, the former England international who was calling the match for BBC, offered a particularly blunt assessment, telling viewers flatly that he thought the show was "crap." However, not everyone concurred with Rooney's harsh critique. Several fans and commentators pushed back, asserting that despite its length, the show moved briskly from act to act and maintained visual engagement.
Once play resumed, the match itself, featuring Argentina and Spain, initially struggled to recapture the high-octane energy of the halftime spectacle. Both teams played cautiously in the early moments of the second half, generating few clean scoring opportunities. The initial skepticism surrounding the concept of a World Cup halftime show, stemming from the tournament's history of foregoing such entertainment, appeared to dissipate rapidly once the performance concluded, largely due to the subsequent wave of praise.
Looking ahead, the overwhelmingly positive reception from many quarters suggests that World Cup organizers may consider this year's format a new standard rather than a one-time experiment. Future tournaments could now follow suit, pairing championship-level soccer with championship-level production value, further solidifying the World Cup's status as a global entertainment powerhouse. For a tournament already defined by record attendance, unprecedented spending, and Argentina's bid for back-to-back glory, the addition of a full-scale halftime show firmly cemented the 2026 final as a pivotal moment in how the World Cup presents itself to a global audience, whether remembered more for its football or its entertainment. The broader cultural conversation around such events was also highlighted, with commentator Jack Posobiec remarking, "FIFA learned the lesson from the TPUSA Halftime Show."
