According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ted Lasso joins the FIFA World Cup. Jason Sudeikis (We’re the Millers, The Angry Birds Movie) showed up to the World Cup as his positive soccer coach character, thanks to a cameo in the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final halftime show, where his character in the series offered up words of encouragement to co-headliner Justin Bieber (Zoolander 2, Justin Bieber: Ghost).
Below is Sudeikis giving encouraging words to Bieber.
🚨 Ted Lasso and Coach Beard sub on @justinbieber at the FIFA World Cup Halftime Show 🔥 pic.twitter.com/iqBpZBGEwp
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 19, 2026
“I think we need some heart, someone that has some soul, someone that can bring the love,” Sudeikis told Brendan Hunt (Horrible Bosses, Yo Gabba GabbaLand!), who was also in character as Coach Beard via The Hollywood Reporter. Bieber then came out beside the two actors, holding his acoustic guitar. “Alright, young man, it’s your big shot. Now listen to me. Go out there, don’t be nervous. Nobody’s watching. Make us proud.”
As per The Hollywood Reporter, Bieber then performed his Swag II track “Everything Hallelujah,” appearing in a more discreet moment in what was one of the biggest sports events of the year. The Lasso cameo was one of several surprises during the event, which included Madonna (Popular, Material Girl), in the midst of her Confessions II era, who opened up the show with a pre-recorded segment where she rode in a dune buggy that was driven by professional soccer player Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
Continuing the performance included The Muppets playing Seven Nation Army with a Gustavo Dudamel (West Side Story, The Liberator)-conducted orchestra via The Hollywood Reporter. K-pop superstars BTS (Eternals, BTS: Swim), fresh off a Paris stadium show the night prior, came out to perform their global hit Dynamite. Coldplay (Wicker Park, Insomnia) and The Muppets joined the PS22 choir, a children’s chorus out of Staten Island.
The Ted Lasso cameo came a few weeks before the Apple TV series is set to return for its fourth instalment on August 4th. Ted Lasso is available to stream on Apple TV+.