Wayne Rooney called the 2026 World Cup final halftime show "c**p" and said the best part was when it ended during a live BBC Sport discussion. The show featured performances by Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, Burna Boy, BTS, and The Muppets at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday night.
Spain won the 2026 World Cup after Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in extra time against Argentina. The halftime entertainment, a first for a FIFA World Cup final, drew sharp criticism from fans and celebrities alike.
Celebrity backlash over World Cup halftime show
Rooney, 41, told BBC Sport’s Gaby Logan that despite liking many of the artists, the performance felt flat. "To be honest, mine was when it finished," he said. "I like a lot of those artists, but I thought it was c**p. It just didn’t get me going. I wanted the football back on."
Other celebrities echoed his sentiment. Liam Gallagher called the show "like a bad trip," while Sam Thompson criticized it as unnecessary for a game of such magnitude. Lorraine Kelly joked that seeing Animal from The Muppets on drums "almost forgave FIFA," but urged organizers to "get on with the footie."
Star-studded performances and closing ceremony
The halftime show opened with Madonna performing "Music," joined by World Cup legends Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho. Justin Bieber sang a World Cup-themed version of "Hallelujah," while Shakira and Burna Boy performed "Dai Dai." BTS also took the stage with "Dynamite."
A closing ceremony preceded the match, featuring appearances from Tom Cruise, Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, and performances by Post Malone, Robbie Williams, and others. Security delays and ticket-scanning issues caused long wait times for fans entering MetLife Stadium, where President Donald Trump was in attendance.
Spain’s victory marked the end of the tournament, with Ferran Torres’ extra-time goal securing the title. The game was one of the most expensive sporting events in history, with resale tickets starting at $7,000.
