Soccer enthusiasts have expressed their dissatisfaction with the World Cup halftime show lineup following FIFA’s recent announcement of the featured performers for this summer’s event.
The much-anticipated lineup was revealed on Wednesday evening, just weeks ahead of the tournament’s kickoff in Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
FIFA has confirmed that global icons Madonna, Shakira, and the K-pop sensation BTS will headline the inaugural World Cup final halftime show, scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium on July 19.
While the announcement thrilled some fans, others were not as impressed and quickly took to social media and The Daily Mail’s comment section to express their discontent.
One frustrated fan questioned, “Could they not have chosen three current stars from the USA, Mexico, and Canada? That would have made a lot more sense!”
“Well, at least I know what I won’t be watching. Thanks for the heads up,” another disappointed individual bluntly remarked in response to the lineup reveal.
Furious soccer fans have vented their fury over the World Cup final’s half time show, which will be held at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on July 19
Madonna, Shakira and BTS will headline the first-ever World Cup final halftime show
‘The worst lineup in the history of fifa. You can’t change my mind,’ another wrote.
Meanwhile, one fan said: ‘Leave that nonsense to Super Bowl, soccer doesn’t need cheerleaders’.
Some fans took issue with the individual performers, with one user commenting: ‘Madonna’s a bit past it isn’t she? Who even wants a half time show anyway?’
‘Them trying to sneak in BTS with these talented ppl [sic] like we would notice,’ another said.
‘Shakira again? She did this with JLo at the Super Bowl…,’ another fan said.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino last month promised fans that the halftime show ‘will be fantastic’ but his idea has been met with opposition among many within soccer.
FIFA enlisted the help of Coldplay front man Chris Martin to select the headliners and he has chosen some of the world’s biggest artists.
Madonna, 67, has won seven Grammy Awards and her 15th studio album – Confessions II – is set to be released in July.
Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira, 49, recently released the official World Cup song, ‘Dai Dai,’ alongside Burna Boy. She previously performed at a concert ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
BTS, seen here in Mexico City, became the first K-pop group to receive a Grammy nomination
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino last month promised fans that the halftime show ‘will be fantastic’
BTS, meanwhile, is a seven-strong boy band who in 2020 became the first K-pop group to ever receive a Grammy nomination.
‘The show will raise funds for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, improving access to quality education and football for children around the world,’ read a statement from Coldplay.
Madonna and Shakira have both previously performed at Super Bowls but this will be the first time that the World Cup final has included a halftime show.
The announcement was made in a viral video that featured Coldplay star Martin as well as characters such as Elmo, Miss Piggy, Kermit the Frog and Animal. ‘This show is more about we than me,’ Martin said in the clip. ‘It’s about togetherness.’
Earlier this month, FIFA revealed who will perform ahead of the first game in each of the three host countries, with Katy Perry among those chosen for the USA’s opening match against Paraguay in Los Angeles.
The last time the World Cup came to the US, in 1994, Diana Ross headlined the opening ceremony while Whitney Houston had a 25-minute set at the closing ceremony.
The three tenors Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, and Jose Carreras also performed at Dodger Stadium during the tournament, which was won by Brazil.
