{"id":11438,"date":"2026-07-20T10:24:06","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T05:24:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=11438"},"modified":"2026-07-20T10:24:06","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T05:24:06","slug":"blink-and-you-missed-madonna-bts-justin-bieber-shakira","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=11438","title":{"rendered":"Blink and You Missed Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThe FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show provided an answer to the burning question of how you fit <a href=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/t\/madonna\/\" id=\"auto-tag_madonna\" data-tag=\"madonna\">Madonna<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/t\/bts\/\" id=\"auto-tag_bts\" data-tag=\"bts\">BTS<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/t\/justin-bieber\/\" id=\"auto-tag_justin-bieber\" data-tag=\"justin-bieber\">Justin Bieber<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/t\/shakira\/\" id=\"auto-tag_shakira\" data-tag=\"shakira\">Shakira<\/a>, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, Chris Martin and the Muppets into a single 11-minute segment: as fleetingly as possible.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tAlthough there were reports that the halftime extravaganza would be allowed to go over the allotted 11 minutes, it indeed came in at just a few seconds over that mark, which meant that none of the superstars involved got more than about two minutes of time on the field\u2026 or mostly off it, in the case of Madonna.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThe segment opened with an apparently pre-taped segment in which Madonna and passengers Ronaldinho and Ronaldo Naz\u00e1rio\u00a0were carried along on a jeep through tunnels, apparently in the bowels of New York New Jersey Stadium \u2014 a journey that lasted long enough that it seemed in doubt whether she would ever make an appearance out on the field. She did, but by that time, her performance of \u201cMusic\u201d was over, with nothing left to do in sight of the live fans but strike a pose before the action moved on to Dudamel and the Muppets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThe transition at the two-minute mark found the outgoing LA Phil conductor leading string sections from New York and Venezuela in supporting a Muppet band\u2019s rendition of the White Stripes\u2019 \u201cSeven Nation Army.\u201d The next minute was given over to leaving viewers wondering why puppets rather than Jack White himself were squeezed into the mega-medley to deliver the biggest riff in rock or sportsdom, before BTS took over at the three-minute point.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-content-image \/\/  size-large alignnone \">\n<figure class=\"o-figure  lrv-u-font-family-secondary u-color-medium-grey lrv-u-border-b-1 u-border-color-light-grey-tint-two u-margin-b-150 lrv-u-max-width-100p\" style=\"width:1024px\">\n<div class=\"c-lazy-image  \">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"c-lazy-image__img lrv-u-background-color-grey-lightest lrv-u-width-100p lrv-u-display-block lrv-u-height-auto\" src=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/themes\/pmc-variety-2020\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286796054.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286796054.jpg 5003w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286796054.jpg?resize=150,96 150w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286796054.jpg?resize=300,193 300w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(min-width: 87.5rem) 1000px, (min-width: 78.75rem) 681px, (min-width: 48rem) 450px, (max-width: 48rem) 250px\" height=\"657\" width=\"1024\" decoding=\"async\"\/><\/p><\/div><figcaption class=\"c-figcaption  lrv-u-flex lrv-u-flex-direction-column lrv-u-padding-t-1 lrv-u-padding-b-1\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lrv-u-color-black lrv-u-line-height-normal lrv-u-font-size-14 u-font-family-neue u-letter-spacing-007-rem u-margin-b-050\">RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook of BTS perform during the Topps Final Halftime Show in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match in East Rutherford, New Jersey. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"u-color-medium-grey u-font-family-neue-xxs\">Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tThe K-pop superstars got in a minute and 40 seconds\u2019 worth of \u201cDynamite,\u201d complete with some altered football lyrics, before they were succeeded by an unbilled appearance by Jason Sudeikis, briefly reprising his role as Ted Lasso. His entree into the World Cup: coaching Justin Bieber, just he went onto the field with an acoustic guitar to sing a fully solo rendition of \u201cEverything Hallelujah,\u201d from his \u201cSwag II\u201d album, sans a band (or laptop).<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-content-image \/\/  size-large alignnone \">\n<figure class=\"o-figure  lrv-u-font-family-secondary u-color-medium-grey lrv-u-border-b-1 u-border-color-light-grey-tint-two u-margin-b-150 lrv-u-max-width-100p\" style=\"width:1024px\">\n<div class=\"c-lazy-image  \">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"c-lazy-image__img lrv-u-background-color-grey-lightest lrv-u-width-100p lrv-u-display-block lrv-u-height-auto\" src=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/themes\/pmc-variety-2020\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286795973.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286795973.jpg 3329w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286795973.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286795973.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286795973.jpg?resize=1920,1280 1920w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286795973.jpg?resize=1360,907 1360w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286795973.jpg?resize=1000,667 1000w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286795973.jpg?resize=910,607 910w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286795973.jpg?resize=681,454 681w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286795973.jpg?resize=450,300 450w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286795973.jpg?resize=250,167 250w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(min-width: 87.5rem) 1000px, (min-width: 78.75rem) 681px, (min-width: 48rem) 450px, (max-width: 48rem) 250px\" height=\"683\" width=\"1024\" decoding=\"async\"\/><\/p><\/div><figcaption class=\"c-figcaption  lrv-u-flex lrv-u-flex-direction-column lrv-u-padding-t-1 lrv-u-padding-b-1\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lrv-u-color-black lrv-u-line-height-normal lrv-u-font-size-14 u-font-family-neue u-letter-spacing-007-rem u-margin-b-050\">Justin Bieber performs during the Topps Final Halftime Show the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match in East Rutherford, New Jersey. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"u-color-medium-grey u-font-family-neue-xxs\">Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content-image \/\/  size-large alignnone \">\n<figure class=\"o-figure  lrv-u-font-family-secondary u-color-medium-grey lrv-u-border-b-1 u-border-color-light-grey-tint-two u-margin-b-150 lrv-u-max-width-100p\" style=\"width:1024px\">\n<div class=\"c-lazy-image  \">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"c-lazy-image__img lrv-u-background-color-grey-lightest lrv-u-width-100p lrv-u-display-block lrv-u-height-auto\" src=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/themes\/pmc-variety-2020\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286798288.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286798288.jpg 4590w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286798288.jpg?resize=150,97 150w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286798288.jpg?resize=300,195 300w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(min-width: 87.5rem) 1000px, (min-width: 78.75rem) 681px, (min-width: 48rem) 450px, (max-width: 48rem) 250px\" height=\"665\" width=\"1024\" decoding=\"async\"\/><\/p><\/div><figcaption class=\"c-figcaption  lrv-u-flex lrv-u-flex-direction-column lrv-u-padding-t-1 lrv-u-padding-b-1\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lrv-u-color-black lrv-u-line-height-normal lrv-u-font-size-14 u-font-family-neue u-letter-spacing-007-rem u-margin-b-050\">Shakira performs during the Topps Final Halftime Show the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match in East Rutherford, New Jersey. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"u-color-medium-grey u-font-family-neue-xxs\">Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tWho would be \u201cheadliner\u201d in this lineup? Not surprisingly, it was Shakira, joined by Burna Boy, singing \u201cDai Dai,\u201d the FIFA anthem that has \u201cHere in this place you belong\u201d as its brotherhood-of-men-and-feet sentiment. Then, with a minute and a half to go, it was back to the Muppets, now joined by the Webby Award-winning PS22 Chorus and one much taller fellow in the chorus line, Chris Martin, who\u2019d curated the halftime. \u201cWe believe in love,\u201d they sang, a sentiment that came in second here only to a belief in brevity, with a more-is-better approach to making the final\u2019s historic first halftime show as much of a cluster-FIFA as possible.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tEarlier in the day, there was no hurry at all when Post Malone got to sing not just one but three numbers during the opening ceremony \u2014 including a partial version of \u201cChrome Heartbreaker,\u201d teasing his upcoming, long-delayed \u201cEternal Buzz\u201d album. Also getting an unusual amount of time, at least compared to the halftime superstars, was streamer\/influencer-turned-singer ISHowSpeed, reprising his 2022 World Cup anthem, the prosaically titled \u201cWorld Cup.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph larva \/\/ lrv-u-margin-lr-auto  lrv-a-font-body-m   \">\n\tJennifer Hudson delivered the U.S. national anthem, giving the day its most honest jolt of genuine, un-lip-synched lung power. Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini teamed up for another official FIFA theme song, \u201cDesire,\u201d which included Williams singing the line \u201cLove is the law,\u201d a directive that will no doubt hold true unless the president makes a call to get it overturned.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-content-image \/\/  size-large alignnone \">\n<figure class=\"o-figure  lrv-u-font-family-secondary u-color-medium-grey lrv-u-border-b-1 u-border-color-light-grey-tint-two u-margin-b-150 lrv-u-max-width-100p\" style=\"width:1024px\">\n<div class=\"c-lazy-image  \">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"c-lazy-image__img lrv-u-background-color-grey-lightest lrv-u-width-100p lrv-u-display-block lrv-u-height-auto\" src=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/themes\/pmc-variety-2020\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286789744.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286789744.jpg 4626w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286789744.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286789744.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286789744.jpg?resize=1920,1280 1920w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286789744.jpg?resize=1360,907 1360w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286789744.jpg?resize=1000,667 1000w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286789744.jpg?resize=910,607 910w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286789744.jpg?resize=681,454 681w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286789744.jpg?resize=450,300 450w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286789744.jpg?resize=250,167 250w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(min-width: 87.5rem) 1000px, (min-width: 78.75rem) 681px, (min-width: 48rem) 450px, (max-width: 48rem) 250px\" height=\"683\" width=\"1024\" decoding=\"async\"\/><\/p><\/div><figcaption class=\"c-figcaption  lrv-u-flex lrv-u-flex-direction-column lrv-u-padding-t-1 lrv-u-padding-b-1\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lrv-u-color-black lrv-u-line-height-normal lrv-u-font-size-14 u-font-family-neue u-letter-spacing-007-rem u-margin-b-050\">Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini perform before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"u-color-medium-grey u-font-family-neue-xxs\">Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content-image \/\/  size-large alignnone \">\n<figure class=\"o-figure  lrv-u-font-family-secondary u-color-medium-grey lrv-u-border-b-1 u-border-color-light-grey-tint-two u-margin-b-150 lrv-u-max-width-100p\" style=\"width:1024px\">\n<div class=\"c-lazy-image  \">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"c-lazy-image__img lrv-u-background-color-grey-lightest lrv-u-width-100p lrv-u-display-block lrv-u-height-auto\" src=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/themes\/pmc-variety-2020\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286780483.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286780483.jpg 3000w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286780483.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286780483.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286780483.jpg?resize=1920,1280 1920w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286780483.jpg?resize=1360,907 1360w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286780483.jpg?resize=1000,667 1000w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286780483.jpg?resize=910,607 910w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286780483.jpg?resize=681,454 681w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286780483.jpg?resize=450,300 450w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286780483.jpg?resize=250,167 250w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(min-width: 87.5rem) 1000px, (min-width: 78.75rem) 681px, (min-width: 48rem) 450px, (max-width: 48rem) 250px\" height=\"683\" width=\"1024\" decoding=\"async\"\/><\/p><\/div><figcaption class=\"c-figcaption  lrv-u-flex lrv-u-flex-direction-column lrv-u-padding-t-1 lrv-u-padding-b-1\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lrv-u-color-black lrv-u-line-height-normal lrv-u-font-size-14 u-font-family-neue u-letter-spacing-007-rem u-margin-b-050\">Post Malone performs during the closing ceremony before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match in East Rutherford, New Jersey. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"u-color-medium-grey u-font-family-neue-xxs\">Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content-image \/\/  size-large alignnone \">\n<figure class=\"o-figure  lrv-u-font-family-secondary u-color-medium-grey lrv-u-border-b-1 u-border-color-light-grey-tint-two u-margin-b-150 lrv-u-max-width-100p\" style=\"width:1024px\">\n<div class=\"c-lazy-image  \">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"c-lazy-image__img lrv-u-background-color-grey-lightest lrv-u-width-100p lrv-u-display-block lrv-u-height-auto\" src=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/themes\/pmc-variety-2020\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286787289.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286787289.jpg 4354w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286787289.jpg?resize=150,107 150w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286787289.jpg?resize=300,214 300w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(min-width: 87.5rem) 1000px, (min-width: 78.75rem) 681px, (min-width: 48rem) 450px, (max-width: 48rem) 250px\" height=\"730\" width=\"1024\" decoding=\"async\"\/><\/p><\/div><figcaption class=\"c-figcaption  lrv-u-flex lrv-u-flex-direction-column lrv-u-padding-t-1 lrv-u-padding-b-1\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lrv-u-color-black lrv-u-line-height-normal lrv-u-font-size-14 u-font-family-neue u-letter-spacing-007-rem u-margin-b-050\">Jennifer Hudson performs the U.S. national anthem before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match in East Rutherford, New Jersey. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"u-color-medium-grey u-font-family-neue-xxs\">Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-content-image \/\/  size-large alignnone \">\n<figure class=\"o-figure  lrv-u-font-family-secondary u-color-medium-grey lrv-u-border-b-1 u-border-color-light-grey-tint-two u-margin-b-150 lrv-u-max-width-100p\" style=\"width:1024px\">\n<div class=\"c-lazy-image  \">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"c-lazy-image__img lrv-u-background-color-grey-lightest lrv-u-width-100p lrv-u-display-block lrv-u-height-auto\" src=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/themes\/pmc-variety-2020\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286797182.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"\" data-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286797182.jpg 2502w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286797182.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286797182.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286797182.jpg?resize=1920,1280 1920w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286797182.jpg?resize=1360,907 1360w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286797182.jpg?resize=1000,667 1000w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286797182.jpg?resize=910,607 910w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286797182.jpg?resize=681,454 681w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286797182.jpg?resize=450,300 450w, https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286797182.jpg?resize=250,167 250w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(min-width: 87.5rem) 1000px, (min-width: 78.75rem) 681px, (min-width: 48rem) 450px, (max-width: 48rem) 250px\" height=\"683\" width=\"1024\" decoding=\"async\"\/><\/p><\/div><figcaption class=\"c-figcaption  lrv-u-flex lrv-u-flex-direction-column lrv-u-padding-t-1 lrv-u-padding-b-1\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lrv-u-color-black lrv-u-line-height-normal lrv-u-font-size-14 u-font-family-neue u-letter-spacing-007-rem u-margin-b-050\">Chris Martin performs during the Topps Final Halftime Show in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match  in East Rutherford, New Jersey. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"u-color-medium-grey u-font-family-neue-xxs\">Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show provided an answer to the burning question of how you fit Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, Chris Martin and the Muppets into a single 11-minute segment: as fleetingly as possible. Although there were reports that the halftime extravaganza would be allowed to go over&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11439,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286794448.jpg?w=1000&h=563&crop=1","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11438","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pics-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11438","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11438"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11438\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/11439"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11438"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11438"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11438"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}