That’s one way to pause a soccer match! Instead of the usual halftime break, Sunday’s match between Argentina and Spain included an extended halftime show, marking the first of its kind at the World Cup.
This elaborate performance, featuring a variety of artists, stretched the halftime break to a staggering 27 minutes—almost double the standard 15 minutes allotted by IFAB’s Laws of the Game.
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The show kicked off with a pre-recorded segment featuring Madonna transitioning to a live appearance alongside Brazilian icons Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
Next, the Muppets joined in for an orchestral version of “Seven Nation Army,” which included a nod to the popular Norwegian Viking row, followed by BTS performing their hit “Dynamite.”
“Ted Lasso” stars Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt, in their characters’ personas, pumped up the crowd for Justin Bieber’s performance, which took an unexpectedly somber turn with a modified version of “Everything Hallelujah” that included World Cup-themed lyrics.
Shakira and Burna Boy later took the stage to sing their 2026 World Cup anthem “Dai Dai,” and the show concluded with a colorful group of children singing about love alongside Coldplay, leaving a sweet and uplifting note.
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This event was packed with pop culture references and musical performances—some of which were noticeably lip-synced—and attempted to weave in callbacks and montages celebrating the tournament’s cultural elements.
With the controversial hydration breaks, FIFA has faced criticism for turning the World Cup into an experience reminiscent of American football by segmenting the game into quarters. Similar concerns arose regarding Sunday’s halftime program, which some viewed as an attempt to emulate a Super Bowl rather than establish its own identity.
The unprecedented timing of this extended break also raises concerns about player readiness and warmth for the second half. The match eventually went into extra time, with Spain securing a 1-0 victory over Argentina.