The World Cup final half-time show has divided opinion, with Wayne Rooney delivering a blunt assessment during BBC coverage. The 17-minute performance, featuring Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and K-pop band BTS, took place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey during the break of the match between Spain and Argentina, which ended 0-0 at half-time.
Star-Studded Line-Up
Organised by FIFA in a Super Bowl-style format, the show was curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. Madonna opened with a medley of her hits, accompanied by Brazilian football icons Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. BTS performed their song 'Dynamite', followed by Ted Lasso actor Jason Sudeikis introducing Justin Bieber. Shakira closed with the official World Cup 2026 song 'Dai Dai' alongside Burna Boy. Coldplay and the Muppets rounded off the event.
FIFA's Controversial Decision
Earlier in the week, FIFA faced backlash after reports suggested the half-time show could last up to 30 minutes, breaching the International Football Association Board's Laws of the Game. The show was ultimately cut to 17 minutes.
Mixed Reactions Online
Viewers expressed mixed opinions on social media. One said: 'That was actually alright, you know.' Another compared it to a Simpsons episode, while a third remarked: 'This doesn’t feel like the World Cup final. It’s all very weird.' Hollywood actor Hugh Grant tweeted: 'If football was processed cheese.'
Rooney's Blunt Assessment
Wayne Rooney, commentating for the BBC, did not hold back. 'I like a lot of those artists, but I thought it was cr*p,' he said. When asked about his favourite part, he replied: 'Mine was when it finished.' He elaborated: 'It just didn't get me going, I wanted the football to come back on.' Rooney also criticised Justin Bieber's performance as 'too flat', adding: 'I liked Burna Boy, I like Bieber, I like Shakira but that was too flat.'
