FIFA squeezes Madonna, BTS and Shakira into 11-minute halftime rush
Variety reported that the World Cup final show gave its biggest stars roughly two minutes each in a packed, rapid-fire lineup.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
3 min read
FIFA’s World Cup final halftime show tried to fit a pop festival into roughly 11 minutes, and according to Variety, the clock was not generous.
The segment at New York New Jersey Stadium featured Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira, Gustavo Dudamel, Chris Martin, the Muppets, Burna Boy, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo during the final between Spain and Argentina. Variety’s Chris Willman reported that the show ran only a few seconds past its planned 11-minute slot, despite earlier reports that it might be allowed to stretch longer.
That meant the biggest names had to move fast. Variety reported that none of the superstar performers received more than about two minutes of airtime in the halftime production.
A Madonna entrance with no time to spare
The show began with what Variety described as an apparently pre-recorded segment showing Madonna riding through stadium tunnels in a jeep with Brazilian football legends Ronaldinho and Ronaldo.
The tunnel sequence took up enough of the opening stretch that Madonna’s actual on-field moment came after her performance of “Music” had already ended, according to Variety. Once she appeared before the crowd, she struck a pose before the show shifted to the next act.
At about the two-minute mark, Gustavo Dudamel, identified by Variety as the outgoing Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor, led string players from New York and Venezuela. They backed the Muppets on a version of the White Stripes’ stadium staple “Seven Nation Army.”
BTS, Bieber and a Ted Lasso cameo
BTS then arrived around the three-minute point, according to Variety, performing about one minute and 40 seconds of “Dynamite.” The version included football-themed lyric changes.
The halftime show then brought in an unannounced television cameo. Variety reported that Jason Sudeikis briefly returned as Ted Lasso, appearing as a coach for Justin Bieber before the singer walked onto the field.
Bieber performed “Everything Hallelujah,” from his “Swag II” album, with an acoustic guitar. Variety noted that the performance was fully solo, with no band or laptop accompanying him.
Shakira closes the pop sprint
Shakira was treated as the closest thing to a headliner in the densely packed lineup, Variety reported. She was joined by Burna Boy for “Dai Dai,” described by Variety as the FIFA anthem featuring the lyric, “Here in this place you belong.”
With about a minute and a half left, the show returned to the Muppets. They were joined by the PS22 Chorus and Chris Martin, who Variety reported had curated the halftime show.
Martin appeared in the chorus line as the group sang “We believe in love,” bringing the quick-hit production to its finish. Variety characterized the final’s first halftime show as a more-is-more production built around extremely brief appearances from its marquee names.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.