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Even The Muppets Couldn't Save the World Cup Halftime Show
🇳🇱 Netherlands /Sports

Even The Muppets Couldn't Save the World Cup Halftime Show

From NRC Handelsblad · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • FIFA's first World Cup final halftime show featured a star-studded lineup but lacked a cohesive theme or memorable moments.
  • Performers like Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, and Shakira presented their songs rapidly over 17 minutes, with a notable segment featuring the Muppets and Gustavo Dudamel.
  • Despite the extensive lineup and extended halftime, the show failed to create a lasting impact, drawing comparisons to more successful Super Bowl performances.

Even the Muppets couldn't salvage the World Cup final's halftime show, signaling a significant misstep by FIFA. For the first time in a World Cup final, FIFA assembled a musical spectacle, but the performers seemed to lack direction. The match's halftime break was extended, a tradition borrowed from the NFL's Super Bowl, to accommodate the show. Big names like Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and BTS were enlisted.

If even The Muppets can't save a show, then you know something is going wrong.

Introduction to the article's critique of the halftime show.

The most entertaining moment featured Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, musicians from the New York Philharmonic, and the Muppet band, including Animal on drums, performing a rendition of The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army." The iconic riff, often chanted at sports stadiums, elicited a smile but was fleeting. Madonna kicked off the show with an amped-up version of her older song "Music," arriving on a cart in the MetLife stadium's catacombs, accompanied by former Brazilian footballers Ronaldinho and Ronaldo. Ronaldo appeared to thoroughly enjoy the moment.

However, the fast pace meant the show quickly moved on. K-pop group BTS followed with a slightly shortened, solid performance of their hit "Dynamite." Justin Bieber was then introduced by Jason Sudeikis, playing the fictional coach Ted Lasso. Bieber performed his song "Everything Hallelujah" with just his acoustic guitar, adding a modified lyric: "It's the World Cup Hallelujah?" The show then transitioned to Shakira performing her World Cup song "Dai Dai" with Burna Boy and a group of children.

It’s the World Cup Hallelujah?

— Justin BieberJustin Bieber's modified lyric during his performance.

The performance concluded with children and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who served as a "curator" for the show. They sang a new Coldplay song, "We Dance," with Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy making an appearance to promote the song's message of love. The performance was described as safe and general, in line with Coldplay's recent style. In seventeen minutes, songs were presented rapidly and without a clear connection, failing to leave a lasting impression.

We believe in love. We believe in love.

— Chris Martin and childrenThe message conveyed during the closing performance.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by NRC Handelsblad in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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