World Cup final features historic halftime show
The FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show marked a significant moment in the tournament’s history, being the first of its kind in the event’s 96-year existence. The performance took place during the championship match between Spain and Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium. The show, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin and produced with Global Citizen, featured a diverse lineup of international artists.
The scheduled 11-minute performance was extended, contributing to a 30-minute halftime break, which deviated from FIFA’s traditional 15-minute interval. This extended duration allowed for a comprehensive showcase of talent from various musical backgrounds.
BTS performs hit single ‘Dynamite’
Among the performers, BTS, fresh from the European leg of their World Tour ARIRANG concerts, delivered a 1:45-minute rendition of their hit song, “Dynamite.” The group, comprising RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, wore custom ARIRANG-red World Cup outfits. These outfits prominently displayed their names and the number 7, symbolising the seven members of the group. Despite arriving from Paris the night before and performing in 83’F (28’C) and humid weather, BTS maintained high energy throughout their act.
“Dynamite” holds historical significance for BTS as their first song to reach No. 1 on the Hot 100 charts and set a record for the most weeks at No. 1 on sales charts. It also earned the group their first Grammy nomination in 2020. During their performance, over two dozen dancers accompanied BTS, and screens displayed the lyrics, encouraging crowd participation. Following the final performance by PS22, BTS joined other artists on the field, dancing to an unreleased Coldplay track.
BTS has a notable connection to football, both as fans and through their involvement in FIFA-related events. In 2022, they collaborated with Hyundai for the “Goal of the Century” campaign song and music video for the tournament in Qatar. Jung Kook previously made history as the first South Korean artist to perform at World Cup events, delivering the official track “Dreamers” at the 2022 World Cup opening ceremony in Qatar. The group is scheduled to perform the North American leg of their World Tour ARIRANG at the same venue, MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, on August 1 and 2.
Diverse lineup of artists
The halftime show featured a star-studded lineup alongside BTS, including Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber, and Burna Boy. Other notable participants included The Muppets’ Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the New York Philharmonic, Venezuela’s Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, and PS22. This diverse ensemble contributed to the historic nature of the first World Cup Final Halftime Show.
The closing ceremony also featured a pre-match concert with performances by IShowSpeed, Post Malone, and Swae Lee. IShowSpeed performed “World Cup (Champions),” showcasing enthusiasm by catching and kicking a golden football while dancers performed around him. He appeared genuinely delighted to be part of the event, demonstrating a connection to the tournament beyond his performance. His persona, characterised by curiosity and humility, offered an appealing image of a young American engaging with the global stage.
Post Malone performed “Chrome Heartbreaker” in denim attire, accompanied by similarly styled dancers. Swae Lee then performed “Sunflower” with dancers in multi-coloured tracksuits, interacting with Malone before his verse. The performance of “Sunflower” was noted as the closest the pre-match concert came to creating a shared moment among the audience.
The closing ceremony gained momentum after Jennifer Hudson performed the US national anthem to a full stadium. Following this, Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, and Nicole Scherzinger performed the Fifa anthem, “Desire.” All three artists wore blue, with Williams in a bedazzled Adidas tracksuit. Men carrying Fifa flags marched towards the stage, and the flags of the 48 participating nations surrounded the singers, waving in time with the song. Fireworks illuminated the sky, drawing cheers from the now-full stadium.
Tom Cruise also made an appearance, addressing the crowd alone in the centre of the pitch, dressed in a black polo shirt. He spoke about the tournament’s journey from its 48 starting nations to the finalists, Spain and Argentina, pronouncing their names in Spanish. Cruise emphasised football as a universal language that unites people and turns strangers into friends, reminding everyone of their commonalities. He concluded by asking the crowd to celebrate a tournament that brought the world together, stating, “This is football. This is unity. And this is greatness.”
The closing ceremony, particularly its final section, developed a clearer sense of occasion, with Tom Cruise’s speech delivered with conviction. This stronger closing stretch helped to elevate the overall experience, despite earlier issues with empty seats and filming during the pre-match concert. The enthusiasm brought by performers like IShowSpeed from the start was eventually matched by the rest of the production.
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Source: forbes.com
Arjun Sharma
Sports Reporter