Star-studded performances mark World Cup half-time and closing ceremonies
The World Cup final featured a half-time show with performances from various international music artistes, following a closing ceremony that also showcased a range of entertainers. The half-time segment, which included appearances by Madonna, BTS, Shakira, and Justin Bieber, ran for 27 minutes and 22 seconds, making it the longest in the tournament’s history. This duration sparked discussion, as International Football Association Board (Ifab) rules typically allow for a maximum 15-minute stoppage for players.
Madonna performed her song Music, emerging from tunnels beneath the arena and sharing the stage with Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. Colombian pop star Shakira and Nigerian musician Burna Boy reunited for a performance, having previously appeared together at the tournament’s opening ceremony in Mexico City. K-Pop group BTS also performed, marking their return after a three-year hiatus for mandatory military service in South Korea.
Justin Bieber contributed to the half-time spectacle, playing the guitar during his segment. The event drew a number of celebrities, with Kylie Jenner, her boyfriend Timothee Chalamet, Beyonce, and Jay-Z among those observed watching the performances.
The half-time show, despite its star power, received mixed reactions. Former England player Wayne Rooney, who was part of the commentary team, expressed his disapproval, stating, “I like a lot of them artistes, but I thought it was crap.”
Closing Ceremony Highlights
The World Cup closing ceremony, held prior to the final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium, featured a lineup of performers and a speech from actor Tom Cruise. The ceremony commenced with a vibrant display of drummers dressed in gold tracksuits at the pitch’s centre. Online streamer IShowSpeed performed his track Champions, accompanied by dancers, while wearing a white suit.
Jennifer Hudson delivered a rendition of the US national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner. She was dressed in a white gown and blazer, accented with a red, white, and blue ribbon detail. Following this, Robbie Williams performed the official Fifa anthem, Desire, alongside Nicole Scherzinger and Italian singer-songwriter Laura Pausini. Williams wore a sparkling royal blue tracksuit, while Scherzinger and Pausini were both in blue gowns. Pausini mentioned feeling “goosebumps” when Williams invited her to sing with him.
Rapper Post Malone also took to the stage, performing Chrome Heartbreaker in a cowboy hat, denim jacket, and jeans. He was later joined by rapper Swae Lee to perform their song Sunflower. The stadium pitch itself was transformed for the ceremony, featuring depictions of iconic US landmarks such as the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, with a central football-themed stage.
Tom Cruise’s Address
The closing ceremony concluded with a speech from actor Tom Cruise, who addressed the crowd directly from the pitch. He began by reflecting on the tournament’s journey, noting that “Thirty days ago, nations began a journey. They crossed oceans. They crossed borders. They crossed cultures. And together, they showed us why this game belongs to the world.”
Cruise emphasised football’s unifying power, describing it as “a language spoken without words” that “unites people” and “turns strangers into friends,” highlighting their shared humanity. He added, “From every corner of the globe, we have witnessed greatness, and we have shared in moments of joy, moments of hope, moments we will all never forget.”
He concluded his address by stressing the collective ownership of the tournament’s narrative, stating, “These stories now belong to each and every one of us, to every nation, to every player, to every supporter, to every volunteer, to every dream carried on the pitch.” He urged attendees to celebrate the global unity fostered by the event, saying, “As we gather for one final chapter, let us celebrate a tournament that brought the world together. Let us celebrate each other. This is football. This is unity and this, this is greatness.”
Among the high-profile attendees spotted in the crowd during the ceremony were comedian Will Ferrell and British football legend Sir David Beckham with Victoria Beckham.
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Source: bbc.com
