Justin Bieber had millions watching during the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final halftime show-but it wasn't just his performance that got people talking.
The Canadian superstar surprised fans by performing "Everything Hallelujah" from his Swag II album instead of one of his chart-topping stadium anthems, and social media quickly exploded with reactions.
While many praised Bieber's vocals and the emotional staging, others questioned whether the slower, reflective track was the right fit for one of the biggest sporting events on the planet. Fans flooded X, TikTok and Instagram with comments saying they expected an energetic crowd favorite like "Sorry," "Baby," or "Peaches" to get the stadium roaring.
But for many viewers, the performance wasn't about delivering another pop hit-it was about sharing a message.
"Everything Hallelujah" is a faith-centered song that reflects on offering every part of life back to God-our victories, failures, joys and struggles. By choosing the track for one of the world's biggest sporting events, Bieber brought a worship-inspired message to a global audience of millions.
The performance also reflected the singer's well-documented Christian faith. Over the years, Bieber has spoken openly about how his relationship with Jesus transformed his life and continues to shape his music and personal journey. For many fans, seeing him perform a song centered on praise and faith on the World Cup stage was one of the night's most meaningful moments.
The appearance came during FIFA's historic first-ever World Cup Final halftime show, which also featured performances by Madonna, Shakira and BTS.
While debate continues over whether Bieber should have chosen a bigger singalong anthem, others applauded him for using one of the largest stages in the world to share something deeply personal rather than simply delivering another greatest-hits performance.
Love it or question the song choice, Bieber once again proved he knows how to get the world talking-this time with a performance that sparked conversation not only about music, but also about faith.
