Final of the World Cup: 27 instead of 15 minutes break: This is how the first World Cup half-time show went
At the first halftime show in football history, stars like Justin Bieber, Madonna and Shakira delivered a musical spectacle – almost doubling the break to around 27 minutes. The music stars performed for around eleven minutes on a rainbow-colored tarp over the lawn and accompanied by fireworks, a band and dancers.
There were more than 27 minutes between the end of the first half and the restart. The fact that the normally 15-minute break for the show would be extended had already sparked debate in advance.
Madonna arrives with Ronaldo and Ronaldinho
The spectacle began with Madonna, who was driven through the catacombs to the stadium with Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, among others, while singing her hit “Music”. The South Korean band BTS then presented the song “Dynamite”. The Canadian superstar Justin Bieber came on like a substitute, played the guitar and sang his song “Everything Hallelujah” in a minimalist way. He also changed a line of text and made it: “It’s the World Cup – Hallelujah.”
Finally, Shakira and Burna Boy sang their World Cup hit “Dai dai” surrounded by dancers. Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel performed with the band Coldplay and a New York elementary school choir. The Muppet character Elmo sat on the drums. Meanwhile, scenes from this tournament and football history were shown on the screens.
After the end of the game, a countdown clock began to count down five minutes until the halftime show, then helpers rolled out a rainbow-colored tarpaulin across the lawn on which a large, colorful soccer ball could be seen and different words in different languages could be read – including the word “believe.” A music orchestra also took to the lawn. At the end, balloons were added and the letters of the word “Love” were presented in a large Woodstock hippie aesthetic.
Super Bowl model
In US football, the halftime show has long been an integral part of the spectacle. Superstars such as Rihanna, Bad Bunny, Prince, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen and Beyoncé have already given break concerts at the Super Bowl, the final game of the US football league NFL – and thus ensured high ratings and a lot of conversation. At a Football World Cup but there has never been anything like this before.
The halftime show was curated by Coldplay singer Chris Martin – on behalf of the world football association FIFA and the aid movement Global Citizen, which co-produced the show. The spectacle also aims to raise money to support the education of children worldwide.
There was a World Cup closing ceremony even before kick-off. Surrounded by lots of fireworks and dancing, the singer Post Malone and the YouTuber IShowSpeed, among others, appeared around an hour and a half before the game.
Tom Cruise: Tournament brought the world together
Shortly before the game began, musicians Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini performed together, and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson also sang the US national anthem. Actor Tom Cruise also entered the lawn and gave a short speech. “As we gather for a final chapter, let us celebrate this tournament that brought the world together.”
In the audience during the game were, among others, stars such as “Vogue” editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, professional basketball player Jalen Brunson, actors Anya Taylor-Joy and Adrien Brody as well as celebrity couples Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner Rihanna and A$AP Rocky spotted.
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