21 July,2026 09:14 AM IST | Mumbai | A Correspondent
Shakira. Pic/AFP; (right) Madonna. Pic/Madonna’s Instagram
The first ever FIFA World Cup half-time show featured plenty of glitz and glamour, but fans were still left fuming as they accused pop superstars Madonna and Shakira of lip syncing during their songs at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday.
According to British tabloid The Sun, one viewer said: "Madonna's World Cup half-time performance appears to be pre-recorded in a studio." Another chimed in saying: "Glad I'm not the only one who feels it is pre-recorded."
Madonna sung her 2000 hit track Music after appearing out of the players' tunnel alongside Brazil legends Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho.
A third fan took aim at pop star Shakira, who performed the World Cup anthem Dai Dai, saying: "Literally every living soul knows Shakira is just lip syncing. Why even hold that mic?" A fourth summed up every fan's thoughts, stating: "Not one of them singing live, paying a fortune to watch the battle of the lip sync."
The half-time show also featured performances by K-Pop band BTS, Justin Bieber, and special cameos by cartoon characters The Muppets, and TV series icon Ted Lasso.
