Madonna Brings World Cup Halftime Show to an Unexpected Level

The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences. Who did what, where, when, and why it matters. Not a summary of everything — the one thing that makes someone stop scrolling. A reader who only reads this paragraph must understand what happened.

Madonna opened the World Cup Final's first-ever halftime show with her hit song Music at a record-breaking 27-minute halftime show that had fans and artists alike stunned. Joined by Brazilian legends Ronaldinho and Ronaldo in a car, Madonna's performance set the tone for an unforgettable spectacle.

Madonna opened the World Cup Final's first-ever halftime show singing her hit Music from an underground rollerskating rink, in a car being driven by Brazilian legends Ronaldinho and Ronaldo. Then it was a sudden shift to the Muppets with composer Gustavo Dudamel doing the White Stripes' iconic Seven Nation Army. It must've had Jack White turning in his grave (because he sleeps in a coffin, probably). K-pop icons BTS, in all red, slipped into their smash Dynamite, before they got interrupted by Ted Lasso stars Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt, who subbed in edgy Hillsong priest Justin Bieber and his acoustic guitar for a chilled out Everything Hallelujah. Colombian star Shakira brought some appropriate World Cup energy, performing Dai Dai with Burna Boy.

The World Cup Final halftime show was the stuff of dreams for many, with an A-list lineup that included Tom Cruise, dressing like a backstage roadie, delivering a stirring speech from the middle of the pitch, and announcing today's teams – "Espana y Argentina" – with all the cultural respect of an SBS commentator. Post Malone also popped up in a cowboy hat and the tightest Canadian tuxedo you’ll see, performing his new song Chrome Heartbreaker, a return to his rap roots after going country, before bringing out Swae Lee for the Spiderverse hit Sunflowers.

The halftime show was not without its interruptions, with Ted Lasso stars Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt, who subbed in edgy Hillsong priest Justin Bieber and his acoustic guitar for a chilled out Everything Hallelujah. But the real star of the show had to be Madonna, who took the world by storm with her record-breaking 27-minute performance. With a star-studded lineup that included Brazilian legends Ronaldinho and Ronaldo, the Muppets, K-pop icons BTS, and Post Malone, the halftime show was truly the stuff of dreams.

A-listers in attendance included Will Ferrell, Pharrell Williams, Adrien Brody, Matt Damon (with his Argentinian wife Luciana Barroso), Trevor Noah in a Spain shirt, and San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama. The show was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many, and one that will be remembered for years to come.