The first World Cup half-time show, staged during the 2026 final in an attempt to replicate the Super Bowl's spectacle, has been widely criticized as a disaster. The show, which included performances by Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira, Burna Boy, and Coldplay, was described as an unmitigated failure by fans and commentators alike.
A dream turned sour
Madonna, who had reportedly spent over a year lobbying for the opportunity, was relegated to a pre-recorded segment where she mimed in a car park before being driven into the stadium by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. The segment was widely panned, with many noting that the greatest pop star ever deserved a more prominent role.
According to a Metro columnist, the show felt like it was cobbled together by an overzealous drama teacher—specifically Coldplay's Chris Martin, who organized the event. The columnist wrote: "It was an unmitigated disaster from start to finish, as though it had been cobbled together at the last minute by an overzealous drama teacher."
Missed opportunities
Madonna had expressed her long-held dream of performing at the World Cup, saying: "I’ve been bugging and harassing my manager for over a year about it. I’m just a really big football fan… and it’s always been my dream." The columnist argued that giving her the entire slot could have made the show a triumph, but instead, the event was marred by awkward moments.
Other performances included Jennifer Hudson singing the national anthem, which was deemed appropriate, and Tom Cruise delivering a rousing speech while holding his sunglasses, which was described as out of place. Commentator Guy Mowbray mistakenly called Pharrell "AKA Rocky," confusing him with A$AP Rocky, highlighting the show's lack of coherence.
Fan and expert reactions
Wayne Rooney, commentating for the BBC, summed up the show in three words: "It was crap." The event also featured Donald Trump in the audience, which many felt contradicted the show's promotion of love and unity.
The columnist concluded: "Madonna fans, football fans – the world – deserve an apology." The show has raised questions about whether football and pop music can successfully mix, with many hoping this will be the first and last World Cup half-time show.
