The World Cup final hosted its first halftime show with a simple message of love and unity. A diverse lineup of performers took the stage, delivering a show that mixed various musical styles and talents.
Among the stars were Madonna, Justin Bieber, all seven members of BTS, Shakira, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso, Chris Martin, and the renowned soccer players Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. The Muppets and Staten Island’s P.S. 22 children’s chorus also participated, bringing a unique touch to the event. With so many performers, the pitch seemed as crowded as a Buenos Aires soccer bar at kickoff.
Over an impeccably choreographed 11 minutes, the show aimed to justify itself amidst mixed opinions from fans. Purists viewed the halftime show as an unnecessary American spectacle, reminiscent of advertising pauses disguised as “hydration breaks.” Fans of both teams were concerned about how the added time—amounting to an extra 12-and-a-half minutes—might disrupt players’ routines. Even fans of the musicians were curious about the sound of such an eclectic mix of acts.
The performances felt episodic and disconnected, creating a sense of multiple realities. Highlights included Shakira and Burna Boy’s rendition of the World Cup theme song “Dai Dai” and Madonna’s remix of her 2000 hit “Music.” The latter included subtle nods to her new album “Confessions II.” This segment transitioned from a pretaped portion to a live entrance, embodying the Global Citizen-produced show’s broad message: “Music makes the people come together.”
Curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay, the show focused on themes of love and unity. It conveyed values like believing in the future of children—sentiments universally agreeable. The event left fans with mixed experiences but underscored the unifying power of music.
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