FIFA’s much-hyped first World Cup halftime show drew a fierce backlash on Sunday, with some viewers calling the Madonna and Justin Bieber-led production a “disaster” as fans across the globe split over the spectacle.
The glossy, futuristic performance opened with Madonna, 67, delivering her 2000 smash Music alongside jubilant Brazilian soccer greats Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho.
The pop icon, dressed entirely in Saint Laurent, made a bold entrance in a pink satin teddy jacket and corset, mini shorts, lace-up boots and stockings as she greeted the football legends before being driven out into the stadium.
Moments later, the unexpected trio stood together on the pitch, posing for cameras and smiling toward the packed stands.
Bieber, 32, followed with a far more stripped-back appearance, walking out with only a guitar to perform a World Cup-themed version of Everything Hallelujah.
In one of the show’s more unusual twists, the singer was introduced as a substitute by Jason Sudeikis, who appeared in character as his beloved football manager alter ego, Ted Lasso.
Looking calm and understated, Bieber strolled onto the field before launching into the song and closing with the altered lyric, “it’s the World Cup, Hallelujah” — a choice that left many fans confused.
One viewer delivered a blunt assessment online, writing: “What a disaster this halftime show was. Pre-recorded stuff, no collaborations or surprising moments. Where was Madonna at the end? She could have sung a few lines with Shakira… everything was so weird. So much hype for nothing.”
Madonna and Justin Bieber’s performances during the controversial first-ever FIFA World Cup halftime show divided fans on Sunday
Justin Bieber made a starkly different impact on the crowd as he stepped out with nothing but a guitar to sing a World Cup themed version of his song Everything Hallelujah – leavingf fans baffled by his song choice
Shakira showed off her toned frame as she performed Dai Dai with Burna Boy
Yet making clear the division, a second viewer wrote, ‘I dislike a lot of things that FIFA does… but THAT halftime show was pretty spectacular.’
Bieber’s downbeat song choice was undoubtedly one of the major talking points of the performance, with one fan writing, ‘Justin Bieber was unfortunately the worst part of the World Cup halftime show.’
Another penned, ‘Justin Bieber Hallelujah but this was not the right song choice for the half time show.’
A third typed, ‘Buzz killer. Totally sucked . Why choose that song that nobody knows . Beyond me ….’ while another wrote, ‘terrible song choice.’
Others praised Bieber’s performance, writing, ‘Justin Bieber looked and sounded great at the World Cup halftime show today!
‘Glad he’s cleaned up his act!
‘Best performance. He knows how to switch people’s moods in a second. That’s extremely difficult to do, most performers couldn’t.’
Shakira returned to the World Cup stage as she flaunted her toned abs in a pink and yellow sequined bodysuit to perform her hit Dai Dai, with Burna Boy, while K-pop sensations BTS regaled the crowd with Dynamite.
Spain and Argentina were still 0-0 at halftime, with superstars Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal forced to share the stage as soccer is given a slice of the Super Bowl treatment
Billions of fans tuned into Sunday’s game as Messi and Co bid to secure a second successive World Cup triumph.
As well as a halftime show, the World Cup final also included a closing ceremony that featured performances and appearances from Post Malone, Cruise, Nicole Scherzinger, influencer IShowSpeed, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, Robbie Williams and Italian singer Laura Pausini.
Stars including Tom Cruise, Timothee Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, Matt Damon and Adrien Brody joined the crowds for the final.
Spanish actor Javier Bardem, skiing legend Lindsey Vonn and actress Julia Garner were also in attendance for the FIFA Gold Carpet event ahead of the final.
The futuristic segment began with Madonna, 67, singing Music, accompanied by giddy World Cup legends Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho
The toned music legend showed off her legs in stockings as she embraced the soccer icons, before they drove her out into the stadium
The trio posed up on the pitch as Madonna pulled off another flawless performance
The singer was bizarrely subbed onto the pitch by Jason Sudeikis playing manager Ted Lasso
Fans had vastly differing opinions on the show – with another viewer branding the show ‘spectacular’
Others blasted the show over pitchy vocals and lipsync allegations
Fans slammed Bieber for his song choice on sports’ biggest stage
One fan branded Bieber the ‘worst part’ of the show
Others praised Bieber’s performance as ‘so good’ and worthy of the Super Bowl
K-pop sensations BTS regaled the crowd with Dynamite
BTS captivated the crowds as they continued their return to the stage after mandatory military training
The stadium was lit up with a colorful globe and the world LOVE
Tom Cruise flashed a giddy grin as he sauntered through the stadium ahead of his special appearance at the closing ceremony
Matt Damon and Argentinian wife Luciana Barroso looked giddy as they arrived
Thousands of fans and media members faced massive lines to enter the stadium for the World Cup final on Sunday amid several reports of security struggling to manage the situation
Will Ferrell was in attendance for the huge match
Javier Bardem was supporting his home country as he attended the FIFA Gold Carpet before the final
Julia Garner was in attendance to support close pal Madonna ahead of her halftime show
Lindsey Vonn looked stylish as she posed up ahead of the game
Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazario attended with wife Celina Locks
England icon John Terry and Argentina legend Diego Simeone were in attendance
Cruise’s specific role is unclear, with FIFA describing it only as a ‘special appearance.’ But soccer chiefs say the ceremony will pay tribute to all 48 nations from the tournament.
World Cup final day got off to a chaotic start at MetLife Stadium with fans forced to wait for hours outside of the venue amid reports of technological glitches scanning tickets and security staff unsure of how to manage the crowds.
Organizers this week urged fans lucky enough to have a ticket to arrive up to four hours before the start of the game at the 80,000-seater stadium in New Jersey, a short drive outside of Manhattan, for Sunday’s showdown between Spain and Argentina.
As the build-up to the game expected to be watched by billions around the world ramped up, fans were waiting for over four hours to have their tickets scanned in order to enter the stadium for the showpiece game.
The attendance of President Donald Trump meant that airport-style security measures were also being enforced for everyone making their way inside of the venue.
But the delays were compounded amid reports of glitches in FIFA’s ticket-scanning system, meaning those who were fortunate enough to be at the front of the long lines still faced frustrating delays.
Daily Mail also witnessed tensions simmering between fans, media members and security staff, with officials on the ground telling anyone who complained: ‘Take it up with FIFA’.
The game is set to be the most expensive to attend in the history of sport – on Sunday morning, the cheapest ticket available on most resale websites was starting at around $7,000.
FIFA encouraged fans to arrive early in order to participate in the World Cup closing ceremony, scheduled to begin around 90 minutes before the game itself kicks off.
But it is standard procedure for fans to arrive early for additional security checks whenever Trump attends a sporting event – and he has made it to plenty in his second term as President, ranging from the Ryder Cup to the Super Bowl.
Post Malone performed ahead of the final
Cruise kept his look casual in a black tee and jeans as he posed for selfies with queuing fans, while flanked by bodyguards
The star looked excited ahead of the final
Jon Hamm arrived at MetLife ahead of the ceremony
Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini performed Desire
The actor will be sure to mingle with his close friends David and Victoria Beckham , who have been fixtures at the tournament, as well as Argentina legend Lionel Messi , who is playing in his second consecutive World Cup final
Extra security checks were in place ahead of the attendance of President Trump for the game
Man of the hour and Argentina captain Lionel Messi winked at fans as he arrived for the final
Even on the live television coverage, the stadium was bare with a little over an hour until that closing ceremony began.
Soccer greats such as Brazil World Cup winner Ronaldo, former England captain John Terry and former Argentina player Diego Simeone all appeared carefree as they entered the stadium in good time before the game.
There were plenty of fans who were determined not to let the chaos ruin their day, too. Thousands of Argentina fans have made the journey to the stadium for what will likely be star man Lionel Messi’s last ever appearance in a World Cup at the age of 39.
Argentina are narrow underdogs against Spain, the European champions, despite being the holders after winning the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Trump is expected to hand the World Cup trophy over to the winning team after the game.
