Critics Describe FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show as Disjointed
Observers said the halftime entertainment at the World Cup final featured a mix of performances that many found uneven and lacking cohesion.
The halftime show at the FIFA World Cup final featured a series of musical acts that drew mixed reactions from viewers. Singer Post Malone opened the segment wearing a T-shirt that read, "I Just Hope That Both Teams Have Fun," a reference to a previous sports-related meme. He performed his new track "Chrome Heartbreaker" followed by earlier hits including "Wow" and "Sunflower," the latter with collaborator Swae Lee.
The program also included appearances by Madonna, who performed her 2000 song "Music," and South Korean group BTS, who sang their 2020 hit "Dynamite." Justin Bieber delivered an acoustic rendition of "Everything Hallelujah" after a brief on-stage interaction with a television character. Additional elements included a children's choir, a segment with Muppet characters, and an orchestral piece conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.
Shakira and Burna Boy performed the official tournament anthem "Dai Dai," which was highlighted as a more positively received portion of the show. Animal, a character from the Muppets, participated in a drum performance during a rendition of the "Seven Nation Army" chant.
Commentators noted that the variety of performances appeared inconsistent, suggesting that the production prioritized scale over a unified artistic direction.