Inaugural FIFA halftime show: Hit or Flop?

By Lithira Ekanayaka 

The FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain had the latter secure a 1-0 victory after extra time to lift their first World Cup trophy in 16 years. 

While Spain’s defensive resilience, Ferran Torres’ extra-time goal and a heated altercation involving Argentina’s Leandro Paredes and Spain’s Eric García dominated the football headlines, FIFA’s first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show also became one of the biggest talking points of the night.

The historic 11-minute spectacle, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, featured performances by Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS, Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, The Muppets, and the PS22 Chorus. Although the star-studded lineup generated significant excitement, some critics argued that the large number of performers meant none of the artists had enough time to make a lasting impact. 

However, the biggest controversy surrounded the length of the halftime interval. Under the Laws of the Game maintained by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), halftime is generally limited to 15 minutes. While FIFA had planned an 11-minute performance, the total interval lasted 27 minutes and 19 seconds, drawing criticism from fans and pundits who argued the extended break disrupted the players’ rhythm ahead of the second half. 

The halftime show itself received mixed reactions, with many feeling the entertainment became almost as significant as the match. Former England captain Wayne Rooney described the concept as “crap” and “anti-football,” arguing that the focus of the World Cup final should remain on the players and the game. 

As was the case throughout much of the tournament, many supporters also viewed the halftime show as another step in the “Americanisation” of football. Critics argued that FIFA was attempting to transform the World Cup final into a Super Bowl-style entertainment spectacle, moving away from the sport’s long-standing traditions.

Whether the inaugural halftime show is remembered as a successful innovation or an unnecessary distraction remains open to debate, but the controversy surrounding its debut is likely to influence how FIFA approaches future World Cup finals.