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Madonna, Shakira and Ted Lasso appear in World Cup show
Lauren Del Fabbro • July 20th, 2026 10:51 am
The show was an attempt to bring Super Bowl vibes to the World Cup | Photo: AP
Madonna, the Muppets and Shakira were among the stars who performed for the first World Cup half-time show - with a surprise appearance from Ted Lasso.
The final between Argentina and Spain featured an 11-minute spectacle with stars from around the world including Justin Bieber and Burna Boy.
The show on Sunday at the New York New Jersey Stadium also featured Korean pop group BTS and an appearance from Muppets characters Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy.
Madonna kicked off the half-time show performing in an underground-like warehouse full of dancers and rollerskaters.
Madonna opened the show joined by star Brazilian players of yesteryear, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho | Photo: AP
She performed a remix of her 2000 track Music - singing Music makes the people come together - and Danceteria.
She later drove out from the "warehouse" with Brazilian football superstars Ronaldinho and Ronaldo.
The queen of pop strutted on to the pitch in a pink corset with knee-high purple boots and matching sunglasses.
The show swiftly cut to the Muppets from Sesame Street, who covered Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes, with a full orchestra led by Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel and PS22 Chorus made up of primary school children.
It was the first show of its kind, extending the half time break to about 27 minutes | Photo: AP
BTS then emerged in matching red outfits to sing their hit song Dynamite, before Jason Sudeikis appeared as his character from hit TV comedy Ted Lasso.
The sitcom follows the story of an American coach hired to manage struggling English football team AFC Richmond in west London.
Walking along the side of the pitch he said: "I think we need some heart, someone who can bring the love. You thinking what I'm thinking?" before calling out popstar Justin Bieber.
"Make us proud," he added before sending Bieber out on the pitch to perform an acoustic version of his song Everything Hallelujah, changing the last lyrics to: "It's the World Cup, Hallelujah".
Jason Sudeikis appeared as Ted Lasso, introducing popstar Justin Beiber | Photo: EPA
Shakira appeared in a yellow and pink outfit alongside Nigerian singer Burna Boy to sing their World Cup anthem Dai Dai.
The spectacle ended with Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy appearing on the pitch with the PS22 Chorus who sang: We believe in love.
Shakira joined the group with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who curated the show.
Shakira performed the official World Cup anthem Dai Dai | Photo: AP
Pundits offered analysis of the first half of the match on either side of the performance, which former England star Wayne Rooney described as "crap".
It was the first show of its kind for the international football tournament and extended the interval to about 27 minutes, breaking FIFA's own rules which restrict the break to a maximum of 15 minutes.
Half-time entertainment has become a major feature of sporting events in the US, notably during the NFL's Super Bowl showpiece.
Tom Cruise gave an earnest hype-'em-up speech in the pre-match closing ceremony | Photo: AP
Before the match, a string of stars appeared for the tournament's closing ceremony, including Hollywood actor Tom Cruise, popstar Robbie Williams and singer Jennifer Hudson.
Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger, Italian singer-songwriter Laura Pausini and streamer IShowSpeed also performed before kick-off along with Post Malone and rapper Swae Lee.
Other celebrities in the crowd included The Odyssey actor Matt Damon, comedian Will Ferrell, Dune actor Timothee Chalamet and his girlfriend, social media star Kylie Jenner, as well as former England footballer David Beckham and his wife, Victoria Beckham.
- AP
