World Cup final halftime show draws backlash as break nearly doubles allowed time

The first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show, held during Sunday's match between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, has sparked a fierce backlash from football purists who argue it disrupted the rhythm of the game and turned the sporting event into an American-style entertainment spectacle.

"I Thought It Was Crap"

The halftime break stretched to more than 27 minutes — nearly double the standard 15-minute interval permitted under FIFA's own rules — as Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Justin Bieber, and Burna Boy performed in a show curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin and produced by Global Citizen. Wayne Rooney, working as a BBC pundit for the final, did not mince words when asked for his reaction on air. "I'll be honest, when it finished — I like a lot of them artists, but I thought it was crap," Rooney told millions of viewers.belfasttelegraph+3

The Manchester Evening News reported that Rooney's blunt assessment resonated widely, with the former England captain suggesting the best part of the show "was when it finished". FIFA had reportedly told the Spanish and Argentine football federations ahead of the match that the break would be capped at 17 minutes, but the actual duration far exceeded that figure.manchestereveningnews+3

Americanization Concerns

Critics framed the show as part of a broader trend of commercializing and Americanizing the world's most popular sport. The halftime spectacle has been described as an attempt to replicate the Super Bowl model, a move that drew pre-match opposition from figures including The Cure's Robert Smith, who publicly criticized FIFA and the show's concept days before the final.instagram+1

Fox News reported that the 27-minute gap between halves drew particular ire, with observers noting the extended break could affect player performance and disrupt the flow of competition. Others pointed to the combination of the entertainment show, President Donald Trump's prominent presence at the stadium — where he was met with loud boos from sections of the crowd — and surrounding political controversies as creating a spectacle that overshadowed the match itself.chosun+3

A Divisive Precedent

The show received mediocre reviews from critics, with one roundup describing it as featuring "lots of stars and little purpose". FIFA had positioned the event as a "landmark celebration at the intersection of sport, music, and global impact," with proceeds benefiting its education fund. But for many football supporters, the experiment represented an unwelcome departure from the sport's traditions. As one Reddit commenter noted, even in the Super Bowl, extended halftimes are known to disrupt players' routines — a concern amplified in a World Cup final between two of football's greatest nations.olympics+3