Overview
- The halftime production took place at MetLife Stadium and featured Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, BTS, Coldplay, Burna Boy and conductor Gustavo Dudamel, with the show curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.
- The performance, which ran about 27 minutes on Sunday, extended the interval well past the 15-minute limit set in the laws of the game and delayed the match restart.
- High-profile cameos included Brazilian legends Ronaldo Nazário and Ronaldinho, Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt as Ted Lasso and Coach Beard introducing Justin Bieber, and appearances by the Muppets and Sesame Street alongside orchestras and the PS22 chorus.
- Reaction was mixed, with many fans praising the spectacle and others, including BBC pundit Wayne Rooney, criticizing the quality and saying the extended break disrupted player routines and could increase injury risk.
- FIFA and Global Citizen said the show supported the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund with a $100 million target and $1 from each ticket directed to the effort, a partnership that sets a U.S.-style entertainment precedent for future World Cups and could prompt review of halftime rules and event planning.