Pundits offered mixed opinions, with Wayne Rooney labeling it “crap” and Gary Neville enjoying it, highlighting contrasting views on this controversial innovation.
Photo : AP
The first halftime show in the history of a FIFA World Cup final has prompted mixed reactions from fans, pundits and players, with many questioning both the performances and the length of the interval. The entertainment took place during the final between Argentina and Spain and lasted 27 minutes and 19 seconds, delaying the restart of the match.
Under the Laws of the Game, set by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), halftime intervals should “not exceed 15 minutes”.
The show opened with Madonna performing her 2000 hit Music, accompanied by Brazil World Cup winners Ronaldinho and Ronaldo.
The programme also featured The Muppets and Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel performing Seven Nation Army, K-pop group BTS singing Dynamite, appearances by Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt as their Ted Lasso characters, Justin Bieber performing an acoustic version of Everything Hallelujah, Shakira and Burna Boy singing the tournament anthem Dai Dai, and Coldplay closing the show with a children’s choir.
The extended halftime interval prompted criticism from some supporters on social media. One X user shared a scene from The Godfather and wrote: “Halftime show at World Cup final. Look how they massacred my beautiful game,” referencing a line spoken by Don Corleone in the film.
Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher also reacted on X, writing: “It’s a good job I’ve got my spiritual socks on or that halftime entertainment could have tipped me over the edge.”
“The players should have not tolerate that. It’s the biggest game of most of their careers and they should not be bending their routines around half-hour half-time shows,” one user wrote.
However, not all reactions were negative.
One viewer posted: “Didn’t even know there was a World Cup halftime show and it’s better than any Super Bowl halftime show I’ve ever seen.”
Another joked: “Madonna with more World Cup Final appearances than Cristiano Ronaldo.”
On the BBC’s coverage, former England striker Wayne Rooney described the show as “crap”.
