Jason Sudeikis Brings Ted Lasso to World Cup Halftime Show to Hype Up Justin Bieber
Jason Sudeikis brought his character Ted Lasso to the global stage this past Sunday. During the first halftime show in the history of the FIFA World Cup Final, the fictional soccer coach made a surprise appearance to offer advice to performer Justin Bieber.
Sudeikis appeared on the pitch alongside Brendan Hunt, who played Coach Beard. The pair delivered words of encouragement to Bieber before his performance of the song Everything Hallelujah. The interaction focused on the importance of heart and authenticity as the artist prepared to take the field for his set.
This cameo was part of a larger, production-heavy halftime show that featured various segments. Other performers included Madonna in a pre-recorded sequence, BTS, and a choir led by Gustavo Dudamel. The show also included a performance from Shakira and Burna Boy, who delivered the track Dai Dai.
The appearance serves as a promotional bridge for the fourth season of the television series. Fans can expect new episodes of the show to debut on August 5 on Apple TV. The segment marks a rare crossover between professional sports and popular scripted programming during one of the most viewed events in the world.