FIFA’s First World Cup Halftime Show Sparks Global Backlash

The inaugural halftime show at MetLife Stadium featured Madonna performing her 2000 hit "Music" alongside Brazilian legends Ronaldo Nazário and Ronaldinho. Despite the star power, the event struggled to capture a unified audience. Justin Bieber followed with a stripped-back performance of "Everything Hallelujah," a choice that drew sharp ire from critics who labeled the song selection "a buzz killer" and "flat."

Not all feedback was negative. Supporters praised the show for its positive, family-friendly energy and the rare sight of soccer icons sharing the stage with pop royalty. However, the production’s length—stretching beyond 27 minutes—drew significant complaints from viewers who felt it disrupted the flow of the match. Former England captain Wayne Rooney voiced the most blunt assessment, telling the BBC, "I’ll be honest, mine was when it finished. I like a lot of them artists, but I thought it was crap."

Whether the show represents a new tradition or a failed gamble remains a point of contention. As FIFA looks to modernize its presentation, the polarized reaction suggests that bringing a stadium-sized concert to the world’s most prestigious soccer match may require more than just a list of famous names to win over the sport's traditionalist core.