Muppets, Ted Lasso, and Ronaldinho: Social media reacts to chaotic World Cup halftime show

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The first halftime show at the FIFA World Cup finals was, well, interesting.

In what seemed to be a go big or go home performance, FIFA put on a rather congested halftime show at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, as Argentina and Spain were in their respective locker rooms trying to find ways to break the 0-0 halftime score of July 19's World Cup final.

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It started with Madonna opening the 12-minute halftime show, singing in the basement of what appeared to be MetLife Stadium and being driven to the pitch by Brazil legends Ronaldinho and Ronaldo.

Then the Muppets joined the show to play "Seven Nation Army" before Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt channeled their "Ted Lasso" characters by motivating Justin Bieber to "off the bench" for his part of the performance. Shakira then took the pitch and performed her official 2026 World Cup song "Dai Dai," which features Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy and is played before every World Cup match.

Those on social media did not hold back on offering their two cents on the halftime, offering a mix of reactions to the performance.

Social media reactions to FIFA World Cup halftime show​

Here's a snippet of reactions to the halftime show:

Let's never do a halftime show again

— Fredrik (@F_Edits) July 19, 2026

World Cup Halftime show > NFL Halftime show

— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) July 19, 2026

The Muppets have been the best part of the World Cup final so far

— Fat Kid Deals (@FatKidDeals) July 19, 2026

The Muppets are at the World Cup Final before Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/o1L1sqFbwR

— PrizePicks (@PrizePicks) July 19, 2026

I think I’m out on halftime shows at the World Cup

— IcyVert (@IcyVert) July 19, 2026

Madonna ate age 70, the Korean Backstreet boys, Justin Bieber and Shakira, Ted Lasso…

FIFA killed it with this halftime show!

— Tactical Manager (@ManagerTactical) July 19, 2026

Please God let there never be a halftime show at the World Cup again.

— Mohammad (@MargBarAmerica) July 19, 2026

Halftime show rating: 6.8/10

Very random collection of acts, prob should have just been Shakira running the show there bc she’s amazing.

Ted Lasso, vuvuzela & R9/Ronaldinho good touches. All for the kids & positivity at the end.

Didn’t need Biebs & 70% of it though lol

— Ryan Hammer (@ryanhammer09) July 19, 2026

World Cup Hallelujah. That Halftime show was everything. ️ pic.twitter.com/kOvTzNvN0Z

— iHeartRadio (@iHeartRadio) July 19, 2026

One of the worst first halves of a World Cup final ever and now we have to watch a halftime show. What happened to football. infantino’s greed has ruined the game.

— WolfRMFC (@WolfRMFC) July 19, 2026

"I thought it was crap." - Wayne Rooney on the FIFA World Cup final halftime show pic.twitter.com/AvKgbXHPJ7

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 19, 2026

Ok I need to know what is the Soccer purist reaction to an American Super Bowl style halftime show for the World Cup Final

— Frank Fleming (@NjTank99) July 19, 2026

This is the most psychotic halftime show I've ever seen, I'm blown away. What a party

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) July 19, 2026

Yeah the Super Bowl halftime show WIPES the World Cup Final

— Tervis Scoot (@tervisscoot) July 19, 2026

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Muppets, Ted Lasso, and Ronaldinho: Social media reacts to chaotic World Cup halftime show

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