The situation
FIFA managed to pull off its first-ever World Cup final halftime show, featuring a lineup of international stars including Madonna, Shakira, Burna Boy, BTS, Justin Bieber, and Coldplay. The show was a vehicle for FIFA's charity arm, the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million for education and soccer access for children worldwide. The event was a feel-good, family-friendly procession of fan favorites, with a focus on togetherness, unity, and love.
What the internet did with it
- Netizens on Theqoo were largely unbothered by the show, with some commenting on the lack of a clear throughline or cohesive message — "it was just a bunch of random performances stuck together."
- The show's attempt to tap into non-World Cup soccer heartwarmers, such as Ted Lasso and the Muppets, was seen as a mixed bag, with some finding it charming and others feeling it was forced.
- — "I loved seeing the kids from PS22 Chorus perform with Chris Martin, it was a really sweet moment and the *λμΉ* was palpable (the subtle, unspoken understanding between people, in this case, the sense of community and shared joy)."
The open question
The success of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund's fundraising efforts remains to be seen, with the organization aiming to raise $100 million for education and soccer access for children worldwide. The impact of the halftime show on the fund's goals and the broader conversation around global unity and education is still unclear.
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