By Elsie Kamsiyochi
The FIFA World Cup final made history on Sunday with the tournament’s first-ever halftime show, transforming MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, into a global entertainment stage. Featuring an extraordinary lineup of international music icons, beloved television characters, and surprise celebrity appearances, the groundbreaking performance brought a Super Bowl-style spectacle to football’s biggest event.
Millions of fans watching around the world were treated to an 11-minute production packed with unforgettable moments as Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Justin Bieber, Burna Boy, the Muppets, and several special guests shared the spotlight. The ambitious show was designed to celebrate music, sport, and cultures from across the globe while adding a new tradition to the FIFA World Cup final.
Madonna opened the performance with her classic 2000 hit “Music.” The pop legend made a dramatic entrance after appearing in a pre-recorded roller-skating sequence before riding into the stadium on a dune buggy. She was joined by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, creating one of the night’s most memorable opening moments as thousands of fans sang along.
The celebration continued with renowned Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel leading a live orchestra through “Seven Nation Army,” the iconic sports anthem by The White Stripes. Adding a playful twist, the famous Muppets house band joined the performance, with Animal taking over the drums, delighting both children and adults in the crowd.
Global K-pop superstars BTS then energized the stadium with a performance of their worldwide hit “Dynamite.” Dressed in coordinated red-and-black outfits, the group delivered their trademark choreography and electrifying stage presence, drawing loud cheers from fans throughout the stadium.
The mood shifted when actors Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt appeared in character as Ted Lasso and Coach Beard. Their humorous pep talk introduced Canadian pop star Justin Bieber, who performed “Everything Hallelujah” with an acoustic guitar in a more relaxed and intimate set. The lighthearted comedy segment gave fans a brief laugh before the music resumed.
Next came Colombian superstar Shakira, who once again proved why she is synonymous with the FIFA World Cup. Wearing a colorful feathered outfit and performing barefoot, she sang the official World Cup anthem “Dai Dai.” She was later joined by Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy, whose energetic performance added another global dimension to the show. Their collaboration brought dancers and children onto the field, creating a vibrant celebration of cultures and music.
Shakira’s appearance was especially significant given her long history with FIFA tournaments. Over the years, she has become one of the most recognizable musical figures associated with the World Cup through songs like “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” making her latest performance another memorable chapter in that legacy.
The halftime show concluded with an uplifting finale featuring the PS22 Chorus, a choir of elementary school students from Staten Island. The children were joined by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who served as curator of the halftime production, along with Shakira, Dudamel, the orchestra, and an array of beloved Sesame Street characters including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Cookie Monster, and Count von Count. Together they delivered a colorful and joyful ending that celebrated unity, diversity, and the universal language of music.
The entertainment began even before kickoff with an elaborate closing ceremony. British singer Robbie Williams performed FIFA’s anthem “Desire” alongside Nicole Scherzinger and Italian singer Laura Pausini. Popular internet personality IShowSpeed entertained the crowd with his World Cup-themed song “Champions,” while American rapper Post Malone performed his new single “Chrome Heartbreaker” before reuniting with Swae Lee for their chart-topping hit “Sunflower.”
Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise also made a surprise appearance, delivering an inspirational speech celebrating the tournament and praising the two finalists before welcoming fans to the championship match.
National anthems were performed live ahead of kickoff, unlike many earlier matches in the tournament. EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson delivered a powerful rendition of the United States national anthem, while Spain’s anthem was performed by Spanish Brass and Argentina’s national anthem was sung by Argentine pop star María Becerra.
The historic halftime production marked FIFA’s first attempt to bring the type of entertainment commonly associated with the NFL’s Super Bowl to the World Cup final. Although much shorter than a traditional Super Bowl halftime performance, the event successfully showcased artists from different genres, generations, and countries, highlighting football’s global appeal and creating one of the most talked-about moments of the tournament.
With music legends, international superstars, celebrated actors, orchestras, internet personalities, and even the Muppets sharing one stage, the inaugural FIFA World Cup halftime show delivered a unique blend of entertainment that could become a lasting tradition at future World Cup finals.
Source: Adapted from reporting by The Associated Press (AP).
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