{"id":369186,"date":"2026-07-20T15:01:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T09:31:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/?p=369186"},"modified":"2026-07-20T15:01:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T09:31:11","slug":"fifas-halftime-show-gamble-leaves-fans-divided","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/20\/fifas-halftime-show-gamble-leaves-fans-divided\/","title":{"rendered":"FIFA’s Halftime Show Gamble Leaves Fans Divided"},"content":{"rendered":"
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For the primary time in World Cup<\/strong> history, FIFA<\/strong> borrowed a page from the Super Bowl<\/strong> playbook by introducing its first ever World Cup final halftime show.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On paper, the mixture of Madonna<\/strong>, Justin Bieber<\/strong>, soccer legends, and surprise celebrity appearances promised an unforgettable spectacle.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As a substitute, the ambitious production sparked wildly divided reactions, with many viewers questioning whether the historic experiment lived as much as the hype as Argentina and Spain battled for the trophy.<\/p>\n

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Although the World Cup final halftime show featured multiple stars, Bieber quickly found himself at the middle of the web debate.<\/p>\n

After a playful introduction from Jason Sudeikis in character as Ted Lasso, the singer walked onto the sector carrying only a guitar before performing a World Cup-inspired version of his song \u201cEvery thing Hallelujah.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Relatively than delivering a stadium-sized spectacle, Bieber opted for a stripped-back performance that ended with the lyric, \u201cit\u2019s the World Cup, Hallelujah.\u201d<\/p>\n

The understated approach immediately divided viewers. One critic blasted the set, noting per the Day by day Mail<\/em><\/a>, \u201cBuzz killer. Totally sucked. Why select that song that no person knows. Beyond me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

One other wrote, \u201cJustin Bieber Hallelujah but this was not the best song selection for the half time show,\u201d while a 3rd simply called it a \u201cterrible song selection.\u201d<\/p>\n

Others, nonetheless, appreciated Bieber\u2019s decision to slow the pace amid the larger production. \u201cJustin Bieber looked and sounded great on the World Cup halftime show today! Glad he\u2019s cleaned up his act!\u201d one supporter posted.\u00a0<\/p>\n

One other praised the performance by writing, \u201cBest performance. He knows easy methods to switch people\u2019s moods in a second. That\u2019s extremely difficult to do, most performers couldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Madonna Helped FIFA Launch A Historic Latest Tradition<\/h2>\n
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Before Justin Bieber took the stage, Madonna was tasked with opening the World Cup final halftime show.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The pop icon emerged to perform her 2000 hit \u201cMusic,\u201d making an entrance alongside Brazilian football legends Ronaldo Naz\u00e1rio and Ronaldinho.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The trio embraced before stepping onto the pitch together, creating one in all the evening\u2019s most unexpected crossovers between global music and soccer stars.<\/p>\n

Madonna also delivered one in all the night\u2019s biggest fashion moments, wearing a Saint Laurent look that featured a pink satin teddy jacket layered over a corset, matching mini shorts, lace-up boots, and stockings.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cameras later captured the three posing together on the sector as 1000’s inside MetLife Stadium welcomed the tournament\u2019s newest tradition.<\/p>\n

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\u0425\u04e9\u043b \u0431\u04e9\u043c\u0431\u04e9\u0433 2026
BTS, Madonna, Shakira, Burna Boy, Justin Bieber and Coldplay on the FIFA World Cup Halftime Show pic.twitter.com\/J6ADzrQnCf<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 \u0427\u0435\u0431\u0443\u0440\u0430\u0448\u043a\u0430 (@cheburashka1545) July 19, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

While individual performances earned praise, many viewers questioned whether FIFA\u2019s ambitious concept matched the months of anticipation surrounding it.<\/p>\n

One disillusioned fan wrote, \u201cWhat a disaster this halftime show was. Pre-recorded stuff, no collaborations or surprising moments. Where was Madonna at the tip? She could have sung a number of lines with Shakira\u2026 every part was so weird. A lot hype for nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

One other took aim on the show\u2019s creative direction, joking, \u201cWho was behind the concept for that halftime show? Chat GPT?\u201d<\/p>\n

Others found themselves somewhere in the center, with one viewer commenting, \u201cMadonna\u2019s performance was the strangest thing ever, especially followed by the Muppets. The remaining of the show was decent. I assumed JB\u2019s performance was the most effective of all of them.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Not Everyone Thought FIFA\u2019s Gamble Fell Flat<\/h2>\n
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Truth be told, I just like the half-time show, nevertheless it ought to be not more than 15-17 minutes. That 27 minutes plus was unnecessary.<\/p>\n

I like what FIFA did with that. It is healthier to maneuver with the times than stay rigid.<\/p>\n

\u2014 \ud835\udde0\ud835\uddee\ud835\ude06\ud835\uddfc\ud835\ude04\ud835\uddee (@mayowacrown) July 20, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Despite the criticism, many viewers applauded FIFA for trying something different.<\/p>\n

One fan admitted, \u201cI dislike a whole lot of things that FIFA does\u2026 but THAT halftime show was pretty spectacular,\u201d while one other praised the event\u2019s uplifting tone, writing, \u201cLight, shiny, positive energy. We wanted that. Really bored with dark and indignant performances.\u201d<\/p>\n

One other celebrated the international spirit of the show, writing, \u201cIt was great! International and diverse, a positive message, family friendly, and soccer legends hanging with Madonna! Ronaldinho and Ronaldo probably couldn\u2019t imagine it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Wayne Rooney Calls World Cup Final Halftime Show \u2018Crap\u2019<\/h2>\n
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While fans continued debating whether FIFA\u2019s first-ever World Cup final halftime show was a hit or a flop, Wayne Rooney made it clear which side he was on.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Appearing on the BBC\u2019s post-halftime coverage after the previous England captain delivered a brutally honest review when asked for his favorite moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be honest, mine was when it finished,\u201d Rooney quipped per ESPN<\/em><\/a>, before doubling down with, \u201cI like a whole lot of them artists, but I assumed it was crap. I did, truthfully.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Explaining why the star-studded spectacle did not impress him, Rooney added, \u201cIt just didn\u2019t get me going. I like Bieber. I like Shakira. It was too flat.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

His candid remarks immediately went viral, with many football fans applauding the Manchester United legend for voicing what they felt about FIFA\u2019s ambitious Super Bowl-style halftime experiment.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n