Chris Martin’s World Cup Halftime Show Sparks Mixed Reactions, Including Wayne Rooney’s Viral Take

Fans and celebrities weigh in on Chris Martin’s star-studded but controversial World Cup halftime show.

A Halftime Show Unlike Any Other

If you tuned into the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, you witnessed history—and not just on the pitch. Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina had fans on the edge of their seats, but it was Chris Martin’s carefully curated halftime extravaganza that truly polarized audiences.

For the very first time, the World Cup featured a halftime show—a spectacle headlined and curated by Coldplay’s frontman Chris Martin. Expecting pure football fever? Well, this was a different kind of halftime. Featuring global superstars, football legends, and even some surprising cameos, it mixed the worlds of pop culture and sport in a dazzling, if somewhat perplexing, display.

The Star-Studded Lineup: From Madonna to BTS and Beyond

Kicking off the halftime was Madonna, performing her iconic hit "Music," accompanied by football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, who made surprise appearances. The Muppets then took center stage with a spirited rendition of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army”—a clever nod to football chants worldwide.

The energy shifted as BTS energized the crowd with their global hit “Dynamite,” bringing K-pop flair to the event.

In a delightful twist, Jason Sudeikis appeared in character as Ted Lasso to introduce Justin Bieber’s solo performance of “Everything Hallelujah,” which created quite a stir. Following Bieber, Shakira teamed up with Burna Boy to perform “Dai Dai,” the official 2026 World Cup anthem. Chris Martin closed the show with his new Coldplay track “We Dance,” featuring the uplifting voices of the children’s choir PS22.

The blend of artists and styles was ambitious, but as we soon found out, not everyone was on board.

Wayne Rooney’s Candid Commentary Goes Viral

When the halftime show wrapped up, former England football star and BBC commentator Wayne Rooney didn’t hold back. Asked by journalist Gabby Logan about his highlights, Rooney’s brutally honest response was: “I’ll be honest, mine was when it finished.”

He continued, “I like a lot of them artists but I thought it was crap. It just didn’t get me going, and I wanted the football to come back on. I like Burna Boy, I like Bieber, I like Shakira, but that was too flat.”

Rooney’s remarks quickly went viral, capturing the mood of many fans who found the halftime show lackluster. Historian and author Tom Holland succinctly chimed in on social media, “Wayne speaking for the nation,” while others joked Rooney sounded like “an employee on his last day at work before his holiday.”

This sentiment spread widely, with some viewers cracking up at Rooney’s straightforward dismissal, proving that sometimes brutal honesty resonates best.

Fans and Celebrities: The Halftime Show Hits a Sour Note

Rooney wasn’t the sole voice of disapproval. Norwegian commentator Aleksander Schau famously quipped he'd “rather watch my dad wipe his ass than this,” illustrating just how underwhelming the show felt to some international viewers.

Rock legend Liam Gallagher also expressed his frustration with a snarky tweet, “It’s a good job I’ve got my spiritual socks on or that halftime entertainment could have tipped me over the edge.” He later added, “This is like a bad trip,” capturing the surreal vibe of the evening.

The show’s eclectic lineup, from the whimsical Muppets to the Ted Lasso cameo and the juxtaposition of football legends with pop stars, left some fans scratching their heads. One user dubbed it “the first AI World Cup halftime show,” highlighting how disjointed the experience felt.

Justin Bieber’s Performance: Drowsy or Dreamy?

Justin Bieber’s intimate solo of “Everything Hallelujah” sparked significant debate online. Some fans were baffled by the choice, asking, “Why would Justin Bieber do that sleepy ass song for the World Cup?” Others went further, criticizing the track as “the 86th most famous song in his catalogue with a negative tempo,” clearly not the hype they expected.

One user didn’t mince words, calling Bieber’s performance “easily the worst in an overall mediocre halftime show.”

However, Liam Gallagher was quick to defend Bieber, tweeting a terse “BEHAVE” to those dragging the popstar, showing that even amidst the criticism, Bieber had some allies.

Football Legends and Madonna: A Confused Cameo

Ronaldo and Ronaldinho’s cameo alongside Madonna was another highlight that divided viewers. Some fans felt the football icons seemed out of place and unsure about their roles, with one user joking, “They got Ronaldinho and Ronaldo in that vehicle with no idea what’s being said or done. This is elder abuse — Madonna included.”

Another chimed in humorously, “Ronaldo looks like he’s never even seen a soccer ball,” poking fun at the football stars’ apparent confusion.

A Night of Surreal Moments and Mixed Reviews

The halftime show’s blend of pop icons, football legends, Muppets, and TV characters left some feeling disoriented. One viewer summed it up: “I’ve seen Ronaldinho & Ronaldo driving Madonna in a car, Ted Lasso sub on Justin Bieber, and now watching Miss Piggy and Kermit wrongly singing on a piano. My head hurts.”

The question on many minds: was this spectacle just too much? Some wondered if the American audience shared the same bafflement, with a fan asking, “Are we all miserable or do Americans think this stuff is stupid too?”

Pre-Game and Post-Match Highlights

Before the halftime theatrics, the World Cup final boasted a starry lineup of pre-game entertainment. Post Malone delivered a memorable performance, and actor Tom Cruise energized the crowd with a stirring speech.

Jennifer Hudson also took the stage to sing the American national anthem, setting the tone for the evening.

After the final whistle, Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, and Laura Pausini closed the night with a passionate performance of “Desire,” the official FIFA anthem for the tournament, leaving fans with a final musical flourish.

Musicians React to the Halftime Show Announcement

Long before the show aired, notable musicians had voiced their opinions. Noel Gallagher admitted he wasn’t looking forward to the halftime spectacle, explaining, “I don’t like changes in football. I’m looking forward to these new rules about corners and time-wasting, that might be a good thing for the game, but I don’t like the razzmatazz of football; it’s been functioning perfectly for hundreds of years.”

He added with a cheeky jab, “They’re not really football people who are performing anyway, are they?”

Robert Smith of The Cure echoed this sentiment with a blunt social media post: “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH… #Breadandcircuses #MUGWANK #pleasejustfuckoff.” Clarifying his stance, Smith emphasized his frustration was less about the performers and more about the concept of a World Cup final halftime show, sarcastically noting the spectacle as “#breadandcircuses.”

Looking Ahead: The World Cup’s Evolving Musical Landscape

The 2026 halftime show marked a bold step into blending music and football culture, curated by one of the biggest names in music. While reactions have been mixed, there's no denying the event captured global attention, sparking conversations everywhere from sports bars to social media feeds.

Will future World Cup halftime shows refine this formula, or is the magic of football better left uninterrupted? Either way, the 2026 event will be remembered as a cultural milestone—flaws and all.

• What was unique about the 2026 World Cup halftime show?
  It was the first-ever halftime show at a World Cup final, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, featuring a blend of musical stars, football legends, and pop culture icons.
• Who performed during the halftime show?
  Madonna, The Muppets, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira and Burna Boy, and Chris Martin with a children’s choir were all featured.
• Why did Wayne Rooney criticize the halftime show?
  Rooney found the show flat and uninspiring, saying he preferred the football to return and that the performances didn’t excite him.
• What did fans think of Justin Bieber’s performance?
  Many fans felt Bieber’s song choice was sleepy and inappropriate for the event, although some defended him.
• How did football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho appear in the show?
  They made cameos during Madonna’s performance but appeared somewhat confused, which drew humorous reactions from fans.

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