World Cup 2026 halftime show divides fans despite star-studded lineup

World Cup 2026 halftime show sparked mixed reactions from viewers after a star-studded lineup featuring Justin Bieber, Madonna, BTS, Shakira, Coldplay and Burna Boy delivered a performance that many critics described as underwhelming and disjointed.

Staged at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the inaugural FIFA World Cup halftime show was curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and aimed to celebrate unity while supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. Despite its impressive roster of performers, the production left many fans divided over its pacing, transitions and overall execution.

Wayne Rooney calls performance 'crap'

Former England captain Wayne Rooney was among the most outspoken critics of the show.

Appearing on BBC Sport's broadcast, Rooney said, "I like a lot of them artists, but I thought it was crap," summing up the disappointment shared by many viewers online.

The show opened with Madonna performing her 2000 hit Music alongside roller-skating dancers before Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho briefly joined her on stage. The performance then shifted unexpectedly to the Muppets' Animal playing drums to The White Stripes' Seven Nation Army.

BTS followed with a performance of Dynamite, bringing a burst of energy before actor Jason Sudeikis appeared in character as Ted Lasso to introduce Justin Bieber.

Bieber slowed the tempo with an acoustic rendition of Everything Hallelujah, while Shakira later revived the atmosphere with Burna Boy during their performance of Dai Dai. Coldplay closed the show with Gustavo Dudamel and New York's PS22 Chorus, accompanied by a giant globe and the word "Love" displayed across the field.

Fans criticise pacing and lack of cohesion

Social media users shared sharply divided opinions after the performance ended.

Some viewers praised BTS and Shakira for bringing energy to the show but criticised the overall production for lacking a clear theme.

One fan rated the performance "five out of 10," arguing that Madonna and Bieber's segments could have been omitted because the show shifted abruptly between high-energy and slower performances.

Another viewer described the production as "cultural degradation," while others called it "disjointed," saying it lacked a cohesive creative vision despite the star power.

Celebrities attend first FIFA World Cup halftime show

The performance marked the first halftime show in FIFA World Cup history and attracted a star-studded audience.

Among those in attendance were Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Adrien Brody, Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner. President Donald Trump watched the final alongside First Lady Melania Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Chris Martin previously said the event was designed to celebrate togetherness rather than individual performers.

"It's a chance to show how amazing all different types of humans are," Martin said when announcing the lineup, adding that the performance was "more about 'we' than 'me.'"

The halftime show also supported the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to improve access to education and football programmes for children worldwide. More than $50 million has already been raised, with $1 from every World Cup 2026 ticket contributing to the initiative.