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First World Cup halftime show draws mixed reactions for Shakira, Justin Bieber, BTS, Madonna performances

First World Cup halftime show draws mixed reactions for Shakira, Justin Bieber, BTS, Madonna performances

First World Cup halftime show draws mixed reactions for Shakira, Justin Bieber, BTS, Madonna performances Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and Burna Boy all headlined the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final halftime show, curated by Chris Martin Angel Reese thanks WNBA for suspending Sandy Brondello, frames 'protected species' comment as discriminationBrexton Busch wins first race since father Kyle Busch's death in emotional return to Victory LaneCaitlin Clark 'cheering hard' for Argentina over Spain in World Cup final: 'I want Messi'I am once again begging the folks in USC's athletic department to study some Greek literature Jaxson Dart's swimsuit model girlfriend gets patriotic, golfer Hailey Ostrom takes on Lake Powell & BigfootCaitlin Clark smacked in the face by WNBA legend after getting foul that could trigger fine in big winConnor Bedard re-signs with Blackhawks, ending hopes for another NHL offer sheet this offseason Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi may have just dropped the most outlandish quote in ACC Media Days historyMLB's first female home plate umpire statistically ranks among 2026's worstCENTCOM recovers remains after Iran attack in Jordan, reports US death in IraqFIFA World Cup final could be the biggest event in human history, CEO says NYNJ host committee CEO Alex Lasry discusses the unprecedented scale of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, calling it potentially the biggest event in human history.

Lasry explains New York and New Jersey are ready for billions of viewers and global dignitaries.is historic for a number of reasons.

Argentina has the opportunity to become the first repeat champion since Brazil in 1962.

It's among the most expensive sporting events ever, and the culmination of the most attended World Cup in tournament history.

Oh, and it featured the first halftime show of a World Cup Final, curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin.In a short, at least by Super Bowl halftime show standards, performance, the show featured performances by Madonna, The Muppets, BTS, Justin Bieber, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, an appearance by Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso, Shakira with guest Burna Boy, and a closing song from a group of children assembled in the middle of the field.

Madonna started her performance in the tunnel, before moving out onto the field to cheers from the crowd.Dudamel"conducted" The Muppets in their performance of"Seven Nation Army," before BTS joined to sing"Dynamite," one of the group's biggest hits.

Ted Lasso then"subbed in" Bieber to sing"Everything Hallelujah," a quieter ballad that he adjusted the lyrics to incorporate"World Cup."Shakira and Burna Boy performed the official World Cup anthem,"Dai Dai," surrounded by backup dancers, which added some energy before the show closed.

Children, joined by Chris Martin and many of the other performers, sang about"love" on the field.

Many compared it favorably to the Super Bowl halftime show from Bad Bunny, saying it had more energy and was intelligible, unlike most of Bad Bunny's"singing."Others criticized the length of the show, saying that it took 27 minutes to go from the end of the first half to the start of the second.

Former English soccer star Wayne Rooney had some harsh words on the BBC broadcast, saying he thought it was"crap."taking their time to warm up into the match and unable to find many good scoring opportunities.

Given the success of the show, however, it seems like this will become part of the tradition at the conclusion of the World Cup.