The halftime show at the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey has drawn sharp criticism from celebrities and fans alike. Football legend Wayne Rooney described the performance as "c***" and stated that the "best part was when it ended," while Liam Gallagher likened the experience to a "bad trip."
The show featured a mix of artists including Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and the Muppets. This lineup, along with the decision to include a halftime performance in the prestigious football match, has been seen by some as an "Americanization" of the sport.
"To be honest mine was when it finished I like a lot of those artists but to be honest I thought it was c***," Rooney commented during a discussion on the BBC. "It just didn't get me going I wanted the football to be back on. It was a bit flat. I like Burna Boy I like Shakira I like Bieber but that was too flat."
Other public figures also expressed their dissatisfaction. Sam Thompson shared on Instagram that the halftime show was "absolutely the last thing a football game of this magnitude needed," questioning the impact on players needing to warm up.
The halftime entertainment commenced with Madonna performing "Music," accompanied by former World Cup stars Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho. Justin Bieber followed with a guitar performance of a World Cup-themed rendition of his song "Everything Hallelujah." Shakira performed "Dai Dai" with Burna Boy, and K-pop group BTS delivered a performance of "Dynamite."
Beyond the halftime show, the event also included a closing ceremony with appearances from Post Malone, Tom Cruise, Nicole Scherzinger, and Jennifer Hudson, among others. Stars such as Tom Cruise, Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, and Matt Damon were in attendance for the final match.
The day of the final was marked by significant logistical challenges for attendees. Fans reported hours-long waits to enter the stadium due to issues with ticket scanning systems and security protocols, exacerbated by the presence of former President Donald Trump, which necessitated enhanced security measures.
Tickets for the match were among the most expensive in sporting history, with resale prices reportedly starting around $7,000.