Breaking News: Madonna, Shakira and Ted Lasso light up first World Cup half-time show

The first-ever World Cup half-time show delivered a bold entertainment spectacle, blending pop royalty, football legends and surprise TV cameos in a way that quickly made headlines far beyond the stadium. For audiences following breaking news Ireland and global entertainment, the 11-minute performance during the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain became one of the night’s biggest talking points.

Staged at the New York New Jersey Stadium, the show featured an international line-up led by Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, Burna Boy and BTS, with appearances from beloved Muppets characters and a surprise cameo from Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso. The performance also marked a major shift for the tournament, introducing a US-style half-time format to football’s biggest stage.

How the World Cup half-time show unfolded

Madonna opened the performance in a set designed like an underground warehouse, surrounded by dancers and rollerskaters. She launched into a remix of her hit Music before continuing with Danceteria. In one of the show’s standout visual moments, she later emerged onto the pitch alongside Brazilian football icons Ronaldinho and Ronaldo.

The performance then moved sharply into a playful orchestral segment featuring Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. The Muppets performed a version of Seven Nation Army with a full orchestra led by Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus, a children’s choir that added a grand, celebratory tone.

• Madonna opened with a dance-heavy stage set
• Ronaldinho and Ronaldo joined the spectacle
• The Muppets performed with orchestra and choir
• BTS brought K-pop energy with Dynamite
• Ted Lasso introduced Justin Bieber’s acoustic turn
• Shakira and Burna Boy performed the World Cup anthem

Justin Bieber and Ted Lasso surprise fans

One of the evening’s most unexpected moments came when Jason Sudeikis appeared in character as Ted Lasso. In a short pitch-side sketch, he called for “heart” and introduced Justin Bieber, who then performed an acoustic version of Everything Hallelujah, changing the closing lyric to reflect the World Cup setting.

The cameo gave the event a crossover appeal that reached sports fans, music audiences and television viewers alike, helping it trend across social and digital platforms.

Shakira, Burna Boy and the grand finale

Shakira appeared in a bright yellow and pink costume alongside Burna Boy for a performance of Dai Dai, the tournament’s anthem. Backed by dancers in coordinated yellow outfits, the pair brought the show to an energetic close before the final ensemble returned to the pitch.

The finale featured Kermit, Miss Piggy and the PS22 Chorus singing a message of unity and love, with Shakira joining the group alongside Chris Martin of Coldplay, who curated the production.

Before kick-off, the World Cup closing ceremony had already drawn major star power, including Tom Cruise, Robbie Williams, Jennifer Hudson, Nicole Scherzinger, Laura Pausini, Post Malone and Swae Lee. Celebrity guests in attendance also included Matt Damon, Will Ferrell, Timothee Chalamet, Kylie Jenner and David and Victoria Beckham.

Why the show sparked debate

While the production was designed as a landmark moment for the tournament, it also triggered criticism. The half-time break reportedly stretched to around 27 minutes, longer than football’s standard interval and beyond the usual 15-minute limit set out in Fifa regulations. That immediately led to debate over whether the tournament was embracing spectacle at the expense of sporting tradition.

Former England striker Wayne Rooney was among those unimpressed, reportedly dismissing the segment during commentary. Still, supporters of the format argued that major half-time entertainment is already central to US sports culture and could help broaden football’s commercial and cultural reach.

The wider purpose behind the event

The half-time show was staged in support of the Fifa Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise 100 million US dollars to improve access to education and football for children worldwide. That charitable angle gave the event added significance beyond the star performances and helped frame the spectacle as part entertainment, part global campaign.

Quick FAQs

Who performed at the World Cup half-time show?
Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, Burna Boy, BTS, the Muppets and Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso all featured.

Where was the show held?
It took place at the New York New Jersey Stadium during the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain.

Why is the show important?
It was the first official half-time show in World Cup history and signalled a major change in how the final is presented.

For readers tracking breaking news Ireland, entertainment crossovers like this show underline how major live events now sit at the intersection of sport, music and global pop culture. The clear takeaway is that the World Cup has entered a new era, and if this debut is any indication, future finals may be just as much about the stage as the scoreline.