Well-Organized Halftime Show Falls Short of World Cup Spirit

The halftime show at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, designed to emulate the spectacle of the Super Bowl, featured a lineup of global music sensations including Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, the South Korean band BTS, and Coldplay's Chris Martin. However, the innovation was met with skepticism, with many questioning its relevance to the World Cup's traditional spirit.

The match between Argentina and Spain ended in a 0-0 draw at halftime, doing little to dampen the anticipation for the show. The performance kicked off with Madonna singing "Music," arriving on the field in a vehicle driven by Brazilian football legends Romario and Ronaldinho. Following her act, characters from "The Muppets," directed by Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, presented a segment inspired by Norwegian rowing rituals.

BTS then took the stage to perform their hit "Dynamite," generating genuine enthusiasm. This was followed by a performance from Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt, reprising their roles from the comedy "Ted Lasso," who introduced Justin Bieber's acoustic set. Shakira also made an appearance, rounding out a star-studded, albeit unconventional, halftime entertainment. While the show was noted for its organization, it was ultimately perceived by some as falling short of the "spirit of the World Cups."