World Cup final features star-studded half-time show in New York New Jersey Stadium
Star-studded performances light up World Cup final
The World Cup final at the New York New Jersey Stadium featured a vibrant half-time show with performances from global music icons. Madonna, BTS, Shakira, and Justin Bieber were among the artists who took the stage, delivering a spectacle designed to rival the energy of a Super Bowl half-time show. The event drew thousands of spectators and a host of celebrities, including Kylie Jenner, Timothee Chalamet, Beyonce, and Jay-Z.
Madonna commenced her segment by emerging from tunnels beneath the arena, performing her hit song “Music.” She was joined by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, who accompanied her as she rode onto the field in a dune buggy. The performance began with a prerecorded piece set in a roller rink, transitioning to her live appearance in the stadium. The Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel led an orchestra, which included musicians from the New York Philharmonic and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, through the sports anthem “Seven Nation Army.” The Muppets house band, featuring drummer Animal, also contributed to this segment.
K-Pop group BTS, making a comeback from a three-year hiatus for military service, performed their song “Dynamite.” Their appearance followed a nod to Norway’s Viking row. Justin Bieber, introduced by actors Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt in their Ted Lasso characters, performed “Everything Hallelujah” with an acoustic guitar, adding a casual feel to the show. Shakira and Nigerian musician Burna Boy reunited on stage to perform their official World Cup anthem “Dai Dai,” which had been played before all 104 kickoffs throughout the tournament. Shakira, known for her World Cup songs like 2010’s “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” performed barefoot in a dress adorned with yellow and pink feathers, surrounded by dancers, including children.
The half-time show concluded with the PS22 Chorus of elementary-school students from Staten Island, backed by Gustavo Dudamel and joined by Chris Martin, the Coldplay singer who curated the performance. More Muppets and Sesame Street characters, such as Kermit, Miss Piggy, Count von Count, and Cookie Monster, also participated in the finale.
Extended half-time sparks discussion
The duration of the half-time show, which lasted just over 27 minutes, became a point of discussion. This extended break, totaling 27 minutes and 22 seconds, marked the longest in World Cup history. Rules from the International Football Association Board (Ifab) typically allow players a maximum of a 15-minute stoppage. Concerns were raised that the prolonged downtime could potentially lead to player injuries as muscles might cool down due to inactivity.
Ahead of the final match, the closing ceremony featured additional performances. Jennifer Hudson sang the US national anthem, accompanied by a live band. Actor Tom Cruise delivered a speech, stating, “From every corner of the globe, we have witnessed greatness, and we have shared in moments of joy. Football is a language spoken without words, a force that unites people.” Other performers included Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and Italian singer Laura Pausini, who performed together. Rapper and singer Post Malone also performed his song “Wow.” Streamer IShowSpeed was the first to take the field, joined by drummers and dancers in colourful tracksuits.
Despite the star-studded lineup, not all reactions to the half-time show were positive. Former England player Wayne Rooney, part of the commentary team, expressed his disapproval, remarking, “I like a lot of them artists, but I thought it was crap.” Another observer noted that while the professional singers and children’s choir performed well, the necessity of such an elaborate show for the World Cup final was questionable. The show was also intended to promote Fifa’s charity efforts.
Celebrities and pre-match festivities
The event attracted numerous notable figures beyond the performers. In the stands, tennis star Carlos Alcaraz, Serena Williams, and Zidane were observed. The atmosphere in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was also described, with hundreds of fans gathering to watch the final on small screens, accompanied by the sounds of vuvuzelas and firecrackers. Broadcast delays caused some fans to experience spoilers from nearby groups reacting to plays before they appeared on their screens. Javier Bardem was among the Spanish fans celebrating their country’s second World Cup win. Matt Damon and his wife, Luciana Barroso Damon, also attended, with Luciana wearing the colors of her native Argentina.
The pre-match closing ceremony also featured Jennifer Hudson, Robbie Williams, and Laura Pausini. Williams performed his FIFA anthem “Desire,” joined by Scherzinger and Pausini. Post Malone performed a new song, “Chrome Heartbreaker,” and his duet “Sunflower” with Swae Lee. Tom Cruise delivered a speech before the match, acknowledging the two remaining teams, España and Argentina, and celebrating the tournament’s ability to unite the world.
The national anthems, mostly piped in during the tournament, were performed live. Jennifer Hudson sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” a cappella before being joined by a brass band. Spanish Brass played Spain’s instrumental “La Marcha Real,” followed by Argentina’s “Himno Nacional Argentino,” sung by pop star María Becerra.
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Source: bbc.com
