Wayne Rooney didn’t mince words during the World Cup final’s half-time show, leaving fans divided. With Spain and Argentina locked at 0-0 after a lacklustre first half, all eyes were on the hyped-up Super Bowl-style break. FIFA pulled in the big guns, featuring Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and BTS in a dazzling show curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. The crowd and viewers worldwide were treated to some star-studded performances, but not everyone was impressed.
Originally planned for 30 minutes, FIFA trimmed the show to 17 after backlash about breaching game laws. Despite the star power, opinions were split. Madonna kicked things off with Brazilian legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, before BTS lit up the stage with “Dynamite.” In a surprise twist, Ted Lasso’s Jason Sudeikis introduced Bieber, whose performance left some viewers unimpressed. Shakira closed with “Dai Dai” alongside Burna Boy, wrapping up a mixed bag of a show.
As the internet lit up with comments, reactions ranged from bewilderment to mild appreciation. One fan quipped it felt like a chaotic mix of random moments rather than a cohesive show. Hollywood star Hugh Grant likened it to “processed cheese,” while Wayne Rooney, in the BBC studio, was blunt, saying, “I like these artists, but that was a let-down.” He wished the football back on, critiqued Bieber’s performance as “flat,” and praised Burna Boy’s energy. Rooney’s candid words echo many, making this a halftime show to remember—for better or worse!