Confused football fans left questioning if World Cup half time show is AI generated
The World Cup half time show has got viewers seriously confused at the spectacle being put in front of them.
Everyone knows half time is when the players get a 15 minute break and pundits wang on about the moments of interest from the previous 45 minutes everyone just watched, but not at this World Cup final.
That's because the Americanisation of the competition means it has a half time show a la the Super Bowl, with musical acts stomping all over the carefully curated pitch.
It was Madonna who opened the show as she started singing while being driven around by Brazilian World Cup winners Ronaldinho and the original Ronaldo from what looked like an underground location, before emerging into the stadium and passing the musical baton on.
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BTS, Justin Bieber and Shakira were among the acts who performed, while there was a contribution from Ted Lesso as well.
But what people saw in front of their eyes had many football fans wondering if they were being blinded by an AI spectacle, because for a while there it really looked so.
Never mind FIFA promising this half time show would only take a couple of minutes longer than the typical fare, there was a 27 minute break between the half time whistle and the referee starting play for the second half.
Bamboozled fans could scarcely believe the spectacle unfolding before their eyes, and plenty wondered 'why does it look AI'.
"I can’t tell what’s real, whats pre-recorded and what’s AI anymore?! Surely R9 didn’t just drive a car with Ronaldinho next to him as Madonna groped his chin from the back seats?!" one fan asked.
Another questioned whether they were 'cynical or does this look AI generated'.
"What did you think of the World Cup final half-time show?"
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 19, 2026
Wayne Rooney: pic.twitter.com/1j6OQap9Yi
It looks like Madonna genuinely emerged with the World Cup winners, but if that whole rigmarole with the car was real or not seems to be anybody's guess.
Ronaldo appeared to be driving it around, but he seemed more focused on showing off the skill of his dentist with a big grin on display.
Fortunately, some star power in the form of the Muppets restored some realism to proceedings.
Whether or not it was real, many of the reactions have been down on the half time show, with Wayne Rooney denouncing it as 'crap'.
Liam Gallagher of Oasis fame described it being 'like a bad trip'.
World Cup final halftime show artists ranked by their net worth
FIFA has put on an absolutely packed halftime show, with Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber and BTS co-headlining.
But onto the most important question: whose bank account is the healthiest…?
Here they are, ranked from very rich to very, very, very rich.
Gustavo Dudamel - $10 million
One of the lesser-known faces in the halftime show, Dudamel is a conductor and violinist who is leaving the Los Angeles Philharmonic for the New York Philharmonic in September.
Long story short, he’s not the kind of guy you’d expect to perform alongside Shakira and Justin Bieber.
According to Sportskeeda, he’s worth $10 million.
Burna Boy - $22 million
The Afrobeats artist has collaborated with Ed Sheeran, Dave and Shakira on hit songs, the latter being the 2026 World Cup anthem ‘Dai Dai’.
He’s worth a cool $22 million, according to Love Money.
BTS - $150 million to $350 million collectively
Recently back from a hiatus after completing compulsory military service, the K-pop group’s inclusion in the halftime show is sure to delight many.
Of the seven members, V is said to be the wealthiest, worth between $38 million and 40 million according to the Economic Times.
Collectively, they’re worth between $150 million and $350 million.
Justin Bieber - $200 million
Bieber made a generational comeback earlier this year at Coachella, marking his biggest live show in four years - and it certainly got everyone talking.
Is the World Cup ready for his laptop and YouTube Premium account?
He’s worth $200 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, which happens to be the sum he sold his music back catalogue for back in 2023.
Shakira - $350 million
Her hips don’t lie, and neither do her paycheques. Shakira is the most successful Colombian artist in history, shifting over 100 million records worldwide.
Alongside Burna Boy, she’s responsible for the 2026 World Cup song ‘Dai Dai’, and who could forget 2010’s ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)’ for the South Africa World Cup.
She’s said to be worth $350 million, according to Marca.
Madonna - $850 million
Madonna is one of the wealthiest female musicians in history, with her latest album Confessions II dropping this month and naturally debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart.
With hits including ‘Like a Prayer’, ‘Papa Don’t Preach’ and ‘Like a Virgin’, it’s no surprise she’s absolutely rolling in it - she’s worth $850 million, according to Forbes.
Joe Harker