Fans criticize Madonna, Bieber, BTS and Shakira's performance in the Cup semi-finals

According toSports.

Background

Madonna, who opened the show, is considered one of the world's most prominent artists and has influenced music culture for decades. While the participation of football legends such as Ronaldinho and Ronaldo added a special character to the show, the presence of BTS and Shakira reflects the cultural diversity that characterizes the World Cup.

Why is this important?

The FIFA World Cup semi-final show represents a historic moment, combining sport and art in an unprecedented way. However, performances by Madonna, BTS and Shakira elicited mixed reactions, reflecting the tension between audience expectations and new experiences.

Key points

Fans criticize Madonna, Bieber, BTS and Shakira's performance in the Cup semi-finals.
The first semi-final show in the history of the FIFA World Cup witnessed outstanding performances from Madonna, BTS and Shakira, sparking mixed reactions among the fans.
Fans rip Madonna, Bieber, BTS and Shakira World Cup halftime: ‘Look how they massacred my beautiful game’ - Yahoo Sports.

The first semi-final show in the history of the FIFA World Cup sparked widespread controversy on the Internet. The show was opened by Madonna, who performed her famous song “Music” from 2000, with the participation of Brazilian soccer legends Ronaldinho and Ronaldo, who won the World Cup together in 2002. This was followed by a performance from “The Muppets” and conductor Guillermo Dudhamel, who performed a version of the song “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes, in addition to the K-pop band BTS, who performed their song. “Dynamite” released in 2020.

The segments also included a surprise appearance from Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso, and Bieber's acoustic performance of his song "Everything Hallelujah." Shakira and Burna Boy also performed the World Cup anthem "Dai Dai", and finally Coldplay came with a children's choir. The show lasted 27 minutes and 19 seconds, delaying the restart of the match between Argentina and Spain, angering many fans.

According to the Laws of the Game governed by the IFAB (International Football Association Board), the rules state that half-time breaks must not exceed 15 minutes. One "X" user who criticized the show wrote: "World Cup semi-final show. Look how they ruined my beautiful game," imitating what Don Corleone said after his son Sonny was killed.

While Oasis singer Liam Gallagher commented: "Good thing I'm wearing my soul socks, otherwise the semi-final show would have upset me." Others felt that the show might negatively affect the players, with one writing: "The players should not have tolerated this. It is the biggest match of their career and they should not change their routine for a half-hour semi-final show."

In contrast, some viewers liked the show, with one writing: "I didn't know there was a World Cup semifinal show that was better than any Super Bowl semifinal show I've ever seen before." While others referred to some of the players sarcastically, with one writing: “Madonna has participated in more World Cup finals than Cristiano Ronaldo.”

Former England player Wayne Rooney described the show as "bad" during his BBC coverage, while Gary Neville said he "enjoyed" it, with his ITV colleague Sportright commenting that Burna Boy "saved the show" with his performance with Shakira. But Roy Keane was also unimpressed, saying: "It was a little disappointing, but it's nice to see Shakira." The semi-final presentation has been highly controversial for FIFA, which changed the structure of the game during the tournament, including rest periods to divide each half into two periods, similar to American sports.

What's next?

It is expected that discussions will continue about the impact of artistic performances on matches, especially with the laws governing the break periods. The negative feedback may lead to a rethink of how these shows are organized in the future, affecting the format of the World Cup in the coming years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened in the World Cup semi-final show?

The FIFA World Cup semi-final show was held for the first time, with Madonna opening it with her song 'Music' with the participation of Ronaldinho and Ronaldo, and the show included various segments from artists such as Shakira and BTS.

Who confirmed that the match was delayed due to the show?

It was noted that the show lasted for 27 minutes and 19 seconds, delaying the resumption of the match between Argentina and Spain.

Why is the offer now being made in the semi-finals?

The show was presented as part of a new experience in the history of the FIFA World Cup, sparking widespread controversy among fans.

What changes occurred because of the show?

The resumption of the match was delayed due to the long duration of the show, which angered many fans who considered that this had a negative impact on the players.