Pop icons Madonna and Shakira, K-pop sensations BTS, and pop star Justin Bieber were among the many performers who took the stage for the World Cup's halftime show, an ambitious, star-studded event aimed at evoking Super Bowl energy.
The 11-minute performance at MetLife Stadium, near New York, featured each headliner performing for approximately two minutes, a condensed format compared to the typical one-headliner Super Bowl halftime show.
Madonna kicked off the show with her 2000 hit “Music,” accompanied by former Brazilian soccer stars Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. The segment began with a prerecorded performance in a roller rink before Madonna entered the stadium on a dune buggy.
Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel led an orchestra through The White Stripes' song “Seven Nation Army,” with the Muppets' house band, featuring Animal on drums, providing a backdrop. K-pop group BTS followed, performing “Dynamite” in red and black attire, with a visual nod to Norway's Viking culture.
Actors Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt, in character as their “Ted Lasso” personas, introduced Justin Bieber, who performed an acoustic version of “Everything Hallelujah.”
Shakira and Nigerian Afrobeats artist Burna Boy then performed their official World Cup anthem “Dai Dai.” Shakira, barefoot and in a colorful dress, was joined by dancers, including children, before Burna Boy entered. The song's refrain is an Italian phrase meaning "Let's go!" Shakira is known for her World Cup songs, including the 2010 hit “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)."
The show concluded with the PS22 Chorus, an elementary school choir from Staten Island. They were joined by Dudamel, Coldplay singer Chris Martin, who curated the performance, Shakira, and numerous Muppets and “Sesame Street” characters, including Kermit the Frog and Cookie Monster.
Musicians from the New York Philharmonic and Venezuela's Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra performed with Dudamel, though their music was prerecorded earlier in the week.
In other World Cup-related entertainment, actor Javier Bardem celebrated Spain's victory. Other notable attendees at the match included Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, and Matt Damon.
Earlier in the day, singer Robbie Williams performed his FIFA anthem “Desire” with Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini. Streamer IShowSpeed opened the pre-match ceremonies with a song titled “Champions.” Post Malone performed a new song, “Chrome Heartbreaker,” and his 2018 duet “Sunflower” with Swae Lee.
Actor Tom Cruise delivered a brief, enthusiastic speech. Jennifer Hudson sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” a cappella, later joined by a brass band. Spanish Brass performed Spain's instrumental anthem, and pop star María Becerra sang Argentina's national anthem.