THE STORY
On July 19, 2026, during the FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, FIFA introduced its first-ever halftime show. The 11-minute performance featured Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, BTS, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus, and was curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay. (legal.fifa.com) The show extended the traditional 15-minute halftime interval to nearly 30 minutes, leading to criticism from fans and media who felt it disrupted the match's flow. (euronews.com)
WHY IT MATTERS
This unprecedented halftime show marked a significant departure from FIFA's traditional practices, sparking debates about the commercialization of the sport and its impact on the game's integrity.