World Cup's First Halftime Show Sparks Debate Over Entertainment in Sport
TL;DR Summary
During the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, FIFA will host the first halftime show featuring Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Justin Bieber and Burna Boy, creating a 25-minute break that critics say tests player welfare and tradition. Supporters argue it could boost engagement and global appeal, following similar intermissions at the Club World Cup and other American sports spectacles; detractors fear the move commercializes football and changes the game's rhythm. FIFA says performers aren’t paid and proceeds go to an education fund, and industry observers warn it could become a new norm in other leagues if the concept catches on.
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- The World Cup halftime show’s goals: Go fast and keep off the grass The Washington Post
- Move over, Super Bowl? There's an even bigger – and splashier – World Cup halftime show coming NPR
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