![\"Kermit](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/0024b978-614.jpg\"\/)
\nKermit the Frog and Miss Piggy ahead of the show<\/p>\n
Madonna, The Muppets, and Shakira were among the stars who performed for the first World Cup half-time show on Sunday in New Jersey \u2013 with a surprise appearance from Ted Lasso. <\/p>\n
The final between Argentina and Spain featured an 11-minute spectacle with stars from around the world, including Justin Bieber and Burna Boy.<\/p>\n
The show at the New York New Jersey Stadium also featured Korean pop group BTS and an appearance from Muppets characters Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy.<\/p>\n
\nKermit the Frog and Miss Piggy ahead of the show<\/p>\n
Madonna kicked off the half-time show performing in an underground-like warehouse full of dancers and rollerskaters.<\/p>\n
She performed a remix of her 2000 track Music \u2013 singing “Music makes the people come together” \u2013 and Danceteria.<\/p>\n
She later drove out from the ‘warehouse’ with Brazilian football stars Ronaldinho and Ronaldo.<\/p>\n
The Queen of Pop strutted onto the pitch in a pink corset with knee-high purple boots and matching sunglasses.<\/p>\n
The show swiftly cut to The Muppets, who covered Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes, with a full orchestra led by Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus made up of primary school children.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/0024b972-614.jpg\"\/)
\nBTS performed Dynamite<\/p>\n
BTS then emerged to sing their hit song Dynamite, before Jason Sudeikis appeared as the title character from hit TV comedy Ted Lasso. <\/p>\n
The sitcom follows the story of an American coach hired to manage struggling English football team AFC Richmond in west London.<\/p>\n
Walking along the side of the pitch, he said: “I think we need some heart, someone who can bring the love. You thinking what I’m thinking?” before calling out popstar Justin Bieber.<\/p>\n
![\"Justin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/0024b977-614.jpg\"\/)
\nJustin Bieber sang Everything Hallelujah<\/p>\n
“Make us proud,” he added before sending Bieber out on the pitch to perform an acoustic version of his song Everything Hallelujah, changing the last lyrics to: “It’s the World Cup, Hallelujah.”<\/p>\n
Shakira appeared in a yellow-and-pink outfit alongside Nigerian singer Burna Boy to sing their World Cup anthem Dai Dai.<\/p>\n
They were joined by dancers who performed in matching yellow outfits.<\/p>\n
![\"Shakira](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/0024b971-614.jpg\"\/)
\nShakira sang Dai Dai<\/p>\n
The spectacle ended with Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy appearing on the pitch with the PS22 Chorus who sang: “We believe in love.”<\/p>\n
Shakira joined the group with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who curated the show and was spotted in the crowd of singers.<\/p>\n
It was the first show of its kind for the international football tournament and extended the interval to about 27 minutes, breaking FIFA’s own rules, which restrict the break to a maximum of 15 minutes.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/0024b970-614.jpg\"\/)
\nThe World Cup show was staged in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative working to raise $100 million to expand access to education and football for children around the world<\/p>\n
Half-time entertainment has become a major feature of sporting events in the US, notably during the NFL’s Super Bowl showpiece.<\/p>\n
The World Cup show was staged in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative working to raise $100 million to expand access to education and football for children around the world.<\/p>\n
Before the match, a string of stars appeared for the tournament’s closing ceremony, including Hollywood actor Tom Cruise, pop star Robbie Williams, and US singer Jennifer Hudson.<\/p>\n
Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger, Italian singer-songwriter Laura Pausini, and streamer IShowSpeed also performed before kick-off along with Post Malone and rapper Swae Lee.<\/p>\n
Other celebrities in the crowd included The Odyssey actor Matt Damon, comedy star Will Ferrell, Dune actor Timoth\u00e9e Chalamet and his girlfriend, social media star Kylie Jenner, as well as former England footballer David Beckham and his wife, fashion designer Victoria Beckham.<\/p>\n
Source: Press Association<\/p>\n