Justin Bieber faces backlash for World Cup halftime song choice
Justin Bieber has come under fire for the song he chose to perform during the FIFA World Cup's first-ever half-time show.
The Canadian hit-maker was welcomed onto the pitch just moments ago by Ted Lasso actor Jason Sudeikis, after which he lifted up his guitar and performed a fully acoustic version of his mellow hit, 'Everything Hallelujah'.
His set has long been expected to generate significant attention, marking one of his highest-profile performances in recent years and fuelling the internet's long-running ‘Bieber Cup’ jokes, with fans teasing that the tournament has become an unofficial Justin Bieber concert after his surprise performances and public appearances, including at Coachella - later dubbed 'Bieberchella' by social media earlier this summer - sparked renewed excitement over the singer's return to the spotlight.
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Sadly, however, the low-key song choice didn't seem to stir much excitement amongst the millions of viewers tuning in from home, who seemingly hoped he'd perform a more upbeat number.
"The energy of that Justin Bieber halftime show song matched the first half perfectly," one X user hit out.
Another teased: "Justin Bieber put me to sleep with that slow halftime song."
"The fact that Justin Bieber is playing the slowest song and acoustic at the WC final??? this is why there shouldn’t be a halftime show," a third complained.
Organisers confirmed the 11-minute mini concert - which has reportedly been inspired by the Super Bowl half-time show - was announced several months prior to the tournament's commencement.
Despite initially claiming they wouldn't air it, both the BBC and ITV later admitted they were preparing for a 30-minute break to accommodate the musical break, along with their usual 15-minute analysis for the middle of the game.
The final is taking place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, known during the tournament as the New York New Jersey Stadium.
Over 82,500 fans are packed into the venue, which has hosted seven World Cup matches this year. Pre-match entertainment and the trophy presentation complete the day’s schedule.
The half-time show is the first of its kind, with curated performances by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in partnership with Global Citizen.
Also included in the line-up were Madonna, Shakira, and BTS as co-headliners, alongside Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus, Coldplay, and appearances from characters including Sesame Street and The Muppets.
The entertainment programme is intended to raise awareness for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, marking a significant departure from previous finals, which have traditionally featured only pre-match and post-match performances.
Already, we saw Jennifer Hudson perform 'The Star Spangled Banner', despite the US having been booted out of the competition several weeks ago.
Spain secured themselves a spot in the final after defeating France 2-0 in the semi-finals on Tuesday (14 Jul), having also overcome Belgium, Portugal and Austria in the knockout rounds. Argentina reached the final by beating England 2-1 in a heartbreaking defeat for the Three Lions, following victories over Switzerland, Egypt and Cape Verde.
The build-up to the grand finale has not been without controversy, however. In the days leading up to the final, there was widespread speculation about whether US President Donald Trump would attend, with his presence prompting heightened security measures around the stadium before it was confirmed he would attend.
Ticket prices have also been a major talking point throughout the tournament. FIFA faced criticism over its use of dynamic pricing, with standard tickets for the final reaching thousands of dollars and some resale listings climbing significantly higher, prompting complaints from supporters and politicians alike over affordability.
Meanwhile, fans travelling to the stadium have reported lengthy queues amid enhanced security and ticket scanning issues ahead of kick-off. Once the match concludes, attention will turn to the medal ceremony, the presentation of the FIFA World Cup Trophy and the closing ceremony, officially bringing the 2026 tournament to an end.
Topics: Justin Bieber, Sport, World Cup, Football
Rhianna Benson