The FIFA World Cup made entertainment history on Sunday by staging its first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show during the championship final between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium. Curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in partnership with Global Citizen, the fast-paced, 11-minute spectacle brought together a star-studded ensemble of music legends, cultural icons, and childhood favorites to perform before a global broadcast audience of billions.
The performance kicked off with pop icon Madonna riding onto the pitch in a dune buggy driven by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho before launching into her 2000 hit single “Music”.
World-renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel then led an orchestra alongside “The Muppets” house band in a rendition of “Seven Nation Army,” followed by K-pop megastars BTS performing an energetic, football-themed version of “Dynamite”.
Actors Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt made a surprise appearance in character as Ted Lasso and Coach Beard to introduce Justin Bieber, who delivered an acoustic performance of “Everything Hallelujah”. Shakira and Afrobeats star Burna Boy then took the stage with a high-octane rendition of the tournament’s official anthem, “Dai Dai”.
The groundbreaking show concluded with a performance by Staten Island’s PS22 Chorus alongside Chris Martin, Dudamel, and a troupe of “Sesame Street” and “The Muppets” characters, including Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy.
Produced to raise awareness and funds for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, the musical extravaganza generated over 60 million dollars in support of educational and athletic opportunities for underprivileged youth worldwide.
