The FIFA World Cup final delivered a star-studded entertainment spectacle on Sunday, with Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS and Shakira headlining the tournament’s first-ever halftime show. Burna Boy, characters from The Muppets and Sesame Street, and several other celebrities also appeared during the 11-minute performance at MetLife Stadium, bringing a Super Bowl-style production to football’s biggest stage.
Unlike the Super Bowl’s traditional single-headliner format, the World Cup halftime show featured multiple acts, with each performer taking the spotlight for roughly two minutes.
Madonna opened the show with her 2000 hit “Music,” accompanied by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. The performance began with a pre-recorded roller-rink sequence before the pop icon entered the stadium in a dune buggy, singing her signature anthem celebrating the power of music.
Renowned Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel then led an orchestra in a rendition of The White Stripes’ sports anthem “Seven Nation Army.” The performance also featured The Muppets house band, with the energetic Animal stepping in on drums.
K-pop sensation BTS followed with a performance of “Dynamite,” appearing in coordinated red-and-black outfits after a brief tribute to Norway’s Viking heritage.
Actors Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt, appearing as their Ted Lasso characters, introduced Justin Bieber while promoting the upcoming season of the popular series. Bieber then delivered a relaxed acoustic rendition of “Everything Hallelujah.” Before the performance, Sudeikis jokingly encouraged the singer by saying, “Alright young man, let’s go! It’s your big shot! Go out there, don’t be nervous, nobody’s watching.”
Shakira and Burna Boy performed the tournament’s official anthem “Dai Dai,” which was played before all 104 matches during the World Cup. Shakira appeared barefoot in a vibrant yellow-and-pink feathered outfit, joined by dancers and children before Burna Boy joined her for the energetic performance, whose chorus features an Italian version of “Let’s go!”
The Colombian singer has become closely associated with World Cup music, having previously delivered the iconic 2010 anthem “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).”
The halftime show concluded with New York’s PS22 elementary school chorus performing alongside Dudamel, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, Shakira, and a large cast of Muppets and Sesame Street favourites, including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Cookie Monster and Count von Count.
Dudamel conducted nearly 40 musicians, split between members of the New York Philharmonic and Venezuela’s Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra. Although they appeared live on the field, the orchestral music had been pre-recorded earlier in the week at Manhattan Center.
Following Spain’s victory, Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem joined Spanish supporters in celebrating the nation’s second World Cup title, dancing and cheering enthusiastically inside the stadium.
Several other high-profile celebrities attended the final, including Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner and Matt Damon. Damon attended with his wife, Luciana Barroso Damon, who honoured her native Argentina by wearing the country’s colours. The actor was also celebrating the successful opening weekend of his film The Odyssey.
Closing Ceremony Featured Cruise, Hudson, Post Malone and Robbie Williams
Before kickoff, the World Cup closing ceremony featured performances by Jennifer Hudson, Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, Laura Pausini, Post Malone and Swae Lee, while Hollywood actor Tom Cruise delivered an inspirational speech.
Robbie Williams performed FIFA’s anthem “Desire” wearing a blue embellished tracksuit. He was joined by Nicole Scherzinger and Italian singer Laura Pausini, both dressed in sparkling blue gowns. Williams had originally released the song a year earlier and unveiled a new version featuring the two singers earlier this week.
Popular streamer IShowSpeed opened the ceremony by performing his World Cup-themed track “Champions” on a stage featuring the Empire State Building. Post Malone followed with the debut of his new song “Chrome Heartbreaker” before teaming up with Swae Lee for their hit collaboration “Sunflower” on a hexagonal stage at the centre of the pitch.
Tom Cruise, who also participated in the Paris Olympics closing ceremony, then addressed the crowd in a casual polo shirt and jeans.
“Today only two teams remain: España!” Cruise declared before pausing for applause and adding, “y Argentina!” He urged fans to celebrate a tournament that had united the world through football.
Unlike earlier matches where most national anthems were played through recordings, both finalists’ anthems were performed live before the final. EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson delivered a powerful a cappella rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” standing before a display of international flags before being joined by a brass band.
Spain’s national anthem, “La Marcha Real,” was performed instrumentally by Spanish Brass, while Argentine pop singer María Becerra sang “Himno Nacional Argentino” wearing a flowing dress inspired by the colours of Argentina’s national flag.
