Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS, and Shakira delivered a dynamic halftime show at the World Cup, incorporating snippets of their hit songs along with appearances by Burna Boy, Ted Lasso, and the Muppets. The performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey aimed to infuse Super Bowl energy into the World Cup, offering an action-packed 11-minute spectacle featuring multiple headliners compared to the usual single act at American football games.
Madonna kicked off the show with her classic track “Music,” accompanied by Brazilian soccer legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. The performance began with a pre-recorded segment at a roller rink before Madonna made a grand entrance into the stadium on a dune buggy, belting out the iconic lyrics “Music makes the people come together.”
Conductor Gustavo Dudamel led an orchestra through The White Stripes’ hit “Seven Nation Army,” while the Muppets’ band, including the spirited drummer Animal, added a fun element in the background. K-pop sensation BTS took the stage in red and black outfits, captivating the audience with their performance of “Dynamite” following a reference to Norway’s Viking culture.
Promoting the upcoming season of “Ted Lasso,” Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt, in character, hyped up Justin Bieber, who then delivered a soulful rendition of “Everything Hallelujah” with an acoustic guitar. Shakira and Burna Boy closed out the show with their official World Cup anthem “Dai Dai,” with Shakira dazzling in a yellow and pink feathered dress, surrounded by dancers and children, while Burna Boy joined her in the spirited performance.
The grand finale featured the PS22 Chorus, comprising elementary school students from Staten Island, backed by Dudamel and Chris Martin, who curated the performance. The stage was filled with Muppets and “Sesame Street” characters, including Kermit, Miss Piggy, Count von Count, and Cookie Monster, creating a joyous and vibrant atmosphere.
In the closing ceremony, Jennifer Hudson, Robbie Williams, and others delivered powerful anthems, while Post Malone debuted a new song “Chrome Heartbreaker” and performed his hit “Sunflower” with Swae Lee. Tom Cruise concluded the ceremony with a heartfelt speech, emphasizing the unifying spirit of the tournament. Live renditions of national anthems added to the celebratory ambiance, with Jennifer Hudson singing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and Spanish Brass and MarÃa Becerra presenting Spain’s “La Marcha Real” and Argentina’s “Himno Nacional Argentino,” respectively.