World Cup half-time show in pictures: Shakira, Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber and more
A star-studded musical performance featuring Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, and Shakira took place during the World Cup final half-time show. The event drew criticism for extending the traditional 15-minute half-time interval.
Why it matters
It highlights the increasing trend of integrating American-style entertainment spectacles into global sporting events, sparking debate over tradition versus commercialization.
Superstars Madonna , BTS , Justin Bieber and Shakira offered a high-energy musical medley on Sunday in the first half-time show at a World Cup final.
Madonna kicked off the Super Bowl-style show, one of several American elements added to this year’s tournament, with a performance of her 2000 hit single Music.
Wearing a pink corset and sporty jacket, she emerged from the tunnels of New York New Jersey Stadium via a dune buggy driven by Brazilian football greats Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
The spotlight moved to renowned Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, who led an orchestra of musicians from New York and Venezuela, plus The Muppets band Electric Mayhem and their wild drummer Animal, in a rendition of the White Stripes song Seven Nation Army.
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