Global Stars Take Centre Stage
The World Cup final featured a half-time show with performances from global music artists including Madonna, BTS, Shakira, and Justin Bieber. The event took place before thousands of spectators, with the performances aiming to rival major entertainment spectacles like the Super Bowl. The half-time segment lasted for 27 minutes and 22 seconds, making it the longest in the history of the World Cup.
Madonna performed her song “Music,” emerging from tunnels beneath the arena. She was joined by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. The pop icon was seen on a car driven by Ronaldo, with Ronaldinho also present, as they made their way onto the field.
Colombian pop star Shakira and Nigerian musician Burna Boy reunited on stage for their collaboration, “Dai Dai.” They had previously performed together at the tournament’s opening ceremony in Mexico City. K-Pop supergroup BTS also performed their hit song “Dynamite,” marking their return from a three-year music hiatus.
Diverse Performances and Reactions
The half-time show also featured Justin Bieber, who played guitar during his segment. He added “World Cup” to the lyrics of his song, reportedly performing for charity. Other artists who performed included Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and Italian singer Laura Pausini, who sang together. Rapper and singer Post Malone performed his song “Wow.”
The closing ceremony for the sporting event included a range of performances. Jennifer Hudson sang the US national anthem, accompanied by a live band. Actor Tom Cruise also delivered a speech, stating, “Football is a language spoken without words, a force that unites people.” Streamer IShowSpeed was among the first to take to the field at the New York New Jersey Stadium, accompanied by drummers and dancers.
However, the extensive half-time show drew mixed reactions. Former England player Wayne Rooney, part of the commentary team, expressed his disapproval, stating, “I like a lot of them artists, but I thought it was crap.” Some viewers also noted that the length of the half-time show, which exceeded the maximum 15-minute stoppage rule set by the International Football Association Board (Ifab), could lead to players’ muscles cooling down due to inactivity, potentially increasing injury risks.
Celebrity Attendees and Additional Acts
Several celebrities were seen in attendance, including Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet, as well as Beyonce and Jay-Z. Other notable figures spotted included Carlos Alcaraz, Serena Williams, and Zidane. A kids’ choir from Staten Island, along with Kermit and Miss Piggy, also performed. Conductor Gustavo Dudamel led musicians from the New York Philharmonic and the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, with the dance troupe Ghetto Kids also participating.
The preparations for the performance involved rolling out a large tarp at the New York New Jersey Stadium to set up the stage. The half-time show was estimated to have an actual performance time of around 11 minutes, with the remaining time dedicated to stage setup and dismantling. The overall event aimed to create a memorable experience for attendees and viewers worldwide.
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Source: bbc.com
