The FIFA World Cup delivered an entertainment spectacle unlike any before, turning MetLife Stadium outside New York into a global concert stage with the tournament’s first-ever halftime show. Packed into just 11 minutes, the fast-paced production featured performances from Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS, Shakira, Burna Boy, beloved Muppets, and even characters from “Ted Lasso,” creating a celebration designed to capture the excitement of a Super Bowl halftime performance.

Madonna kicked off the show with her 2000 hit “Music,” appearing first in a seemingly prerecorded roller-rink sequence before making a dramatic entrance into the stadium aboard a dune buggy. She was joined by legendary Brazilian soccer icons Ronaldo and Ronaldinho as she sang, “Music, makes the people come together.”

The energy continued as acclaimed Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel led an orchestra through The White Stripes’ iconic sports anthem, “Seven Nation Army.” Adding a playful twist, the Muppets’ house band joined in, with Animal stepping in behind the drums instead of Meg White.

Moments later, global K-pop stars BTS lit up the field in coordinated red-and-black outfits, performing their worldwide smash “Dynamite” after a tribute to Norway’s Viking heritage.

A lighthearted crossover followed as Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt, appearing in character from “Ted Lasso,” encouraged Justin Bieber before his performance.

“Alright young man, let’s go! It’s your big shot!” Sudeikis joked. “Go out there, don’t be nervous, nobody’s watching.”

Bieber then shifted the mood with an acoustic performance of “Everything Hallelujah,” delivering a more intimate moment amid the high-energy production.

The spotlight then turned to Shakira and Burna Boy, who performed the tournament’s official anthem, “Dai Dai,” a song heard before all 104 World Cup kickoffs. Barefoot and dressed in vibrant yellow and pink feathers, Shakira was surrounded by colorful dancers, including a group of children, before Burna Boy joined her for the anthem’s memorable Italian-language refrain meaning “Let’s go!”

The performance further strengthened Shakira’s long association with the World Cup, following previous tournament hits including 2010’s “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).”

The historic halftime show concluded with the PS22 Chorus, an elementary school choir from Staten Island, accompanied by Gustavo Dudamel, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Shakira, and an ensemble of Muppets and “Sesame Street” favorites including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Count von Count, and Cookie Monster.

Although around 40 musicians—split between members of the New York Philharmonic and Venezuela’s Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra—appeared on the field, their orchestral performance had been prerecorded earlier in the week at the Manhattan Center.

Following the final whistle, Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem celebrated Spain’s second World Cup championship, dancing and pumping his fist alongside jubilant supporters.

The championship match also attracted a remarkable celebrity audience, including Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, and Matt Damon, who attended with his wife, Luciana Barroso Damon, proudly wearing the colors of her native Argentina. Damon was also enjoying a major weekend following the epic opening of “The Odyssey.”

Closing Ceremony Featured Jennifer Hudson, Robbie Williams, Post Malone and Tom Cruise

Before kickoff, the World Cup’s closing ceremony showcased another lineup of international stars.

Robbie Williams, the former Take That member, performed the FIFA anthem “Desire” while dressed in a sparkling blue tracksuit. He was joined by Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls and Italian singer Laura Pausini, both wearing matching blue sequined gowns. Williams originally released the song a year earlier before unveiling a new version featuring the two singers earlier in the week.

Internet personality IShowSpeed energized the crowd with his World Cup-themed track “Champions,” performing atop a visual of the Empire State Building.

Post Malone followed, taking the stage on a field covered by a tarp featuring the New York skyline. He debuted his new song “Chrome Heartbreaker” before reuniting with Swae Lee for their 2018 hit “Sunflower” on a striking hexagonal stage at midfield.

Tom Cruise, who also participated in the Paris Olympics closing ceremony, then addressed the crowd with an uplifting message.

“Today only two teams remain: España!” Cruise declared before pausing for cheers and adding, “y Argentina!”

“Let us celebrate a tournament that brought the world together,” he said.

Unlike most matches during the tournament, Sunday’s national anthems were performed live.

Jennifer Hudson, the EGOT-winning singer and talk show host, delivered a powerful a cappella rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” while wearing a white suit accented with red, white and blue, standing before a display of flags from around the world before being joined by a brass band.

Spanish Brass performed Spain’s instrumental anthem, “La Marcha Real,” before Argentine pop star María Becerra, dressed in a flowing gown inspired by the colors of the Argentine flag, sang “Himno Nacional Argentino.”

Source: Various Sources