FIFA promised it and delivered: this World Cup was going to become a great show from start to finish and, indeed, it has been. And not only because of the football aspect, which needs little comment, but also regarding the show itself. If its opening (in fact, its three openings, in the United States, Mexico, and Canada) already showed promise, its final was spectacular. During a long break of almost half an hour (specifically 27 minutes and 25 seconds of halftime), Shakira, Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Coldplay with the PS 22 school choir, and even conductor Gustavo Dudamel took the field, no less than alongside the New York Philharmonic and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela.
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In total, an approximately 11-and-a-half-minute show that paused the match longer than usual and, for many, longer than desired, allowing for longer recoveries, but which has already become history. Never before had a World Cup final featured halftime performances, and FIFA, fully committed, went all out for the occasion. All this also served to capture new audiences who, in the United States, are not big football fans. A large-scale show, similar to the Super Bowl halftime — the final of the annual American football competition — captivates and hooks.
And it certainly did. The first to perform was the queen Madonna, the great exponent of the last half-century of music in the host country. The 67-year-old American opened the halftime show, just a month after releasing Confessions II, her latest album. Her performance, although full of the spectacle she is capable of and in which she sang her anthem Music, was pre-recorded. She was accompanied by Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. And all of them took the field to give way to Gustavo Dudamel.
With him came the classical. Within a distinctly pop repertoire, the difference was made by the Venezuelan conductor, still director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic (after 17 years in charge, he has barely a month left in the position) and who will soon take over the New York Philharmonic. Alongside it and also with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, as well as the Iranian violinist Bijan Mortazavi, he took the field to perform a piece called Seven Nation Army, a version of the classic now composed by Jack White especially for the occasion. They were accompanied by Coldplay, and some very beloved guests: The Electric Mayhem, the Muppets’ rock band formed in 1975.
Then, in the younger sector, the Koreans BTS, one of the most powerful bands of the last decade. This immense Korean phenomenon sang their classic Dynamite, dressed in red, as if supporting Spain (who knows…). The seven members of the group were the most visible, putting on a show, singing live, and, moreover, having a blast.
After them, the fictional coach Ted Lasso, Jason Sudeikis, appeared at midfield to introduce Justin Bieber, whom he gave instructions to while jumping onto the field with a guitar. Surprisingly, he sang acoustically, a slow song, Everything Hallellujah. Bieber’s performance was one of the last to be announced and surprised many, but many assumed he would sing something more upbeat. After a long break in his career, this past year he has surged again: in July 2025 he released the album Swag, and in September, surprisingly, Swag II; also, in April he was the headliner of the famous Californian Coachella festival. For the grand final, however, he slowed down a lot, with a very slow song that broke the festive rhythm.
Luckily, Shakira came to liven up the final. The Colombian is already a talisman of the World Cups. After Waka Waka in South Africa 2010 and La La La alongside Carlinhos Brown in Brazil 2014, this has been the summer of her Dai Dai, with Nigerian Burna Boy. They were also accompanied by dozens of dancers, including the Ugandan children’s band Ghetto Kids. If the Colombian already sang at the opening ceremony in Mexico, now she was one of the big stars of the ceremony, as well as the only one to sing in Spanish (although Dai Dai was performed in its English version). Dressed in pink and yellow, she had as much fun as always in her performances.
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The finale came with Chris Martin, leader and vocalist of Coldplay, who was in charge of managing the entire show. He himself performed alongside PS 22, the children’s choir from Graniteville School in Staten Island, New York. Dozens of children took the field with a world flag bearing the word LOVE. At the end, almost all the performers (except Madonna) gathered: Shakira joined them, as did Dudamel, BTS, and Justin Bieber, along with Jason Sudeikis/Ted Lasso. And also with Miss Peggy and Kermit the Frog, of course. Because the American-style show could not be missing.
Dudamel brings Venezuela and the earthquake to the grand final
Conductor Gustavo Dudamel, born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, 45 years ago, is a good friend of Chris Martin, leader of Coldplay. They have collaborated and supported each other in musical and personal occasions, and Martin wanted him for the final, especially after the double earthquake that struck the north of the country on June 24 and has already left more than 5,000 dead.
That is why Dudamel said a couple of weeks ago, in an interview with this newspaper, that being present at the final was important for his country, because the New York final attracted a lot of visibility. “Everyone is watching there, and for me being present means that, the representation of our country, of who we are. That it means seeing hope, optimism, empathy,a more empathetic world, a world that is coming together… Well, it is an honor and a privilege. It is hard to put into words because it is a very special moment.”
Now, in a statement sent to this newspaper in response to questions about how he feels being part of this great show, he reinforces that message: “It means great joy and immense honor. It is the first time there is a halftime show at the World Cup. I thank my dear friend Chris Martin, one of the organizers, with whom I have done many collaborations.”
And he states: “It is a historic moment for Venezuela and for El Sistema. We play, we sing, and above all, today we fight with the courage and resilience of our people. A special memory to the vision of our founding master, José Antonio Abreu. Being present is not only an honor for representing my country, which is already a pride, being there also means representing Latinidad. That classical music is played alongside iconic artists is an immense honor.”
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