As a football lover, I am used to seeing a 15-minute halftime break before the second half begins. The introduction of a 30-minute halftime show at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina was something new, and honestly, it felt out of place. In tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship, Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), fans are already familiar with opening ceremonies before the final and trophy celebrations after the match. Those moments have always been enough to mark the occasion. A long concert in the middle of the final never felt like something football was missing.
This was also not FIFA’s first attempt at the idea. The concept was first introduced during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final in July 2025, where Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0, with goals from Cole Palmer and João Pedro, to lift the trophy. That match featured performances from popular artists including Tems, J Balvin, Doja Cat, Emmanuel Kelly, and Chris Martin of Coldplay. It now appears that FIFA used that event as a test before bringing the concept to the World Cup final.
The final was between Spain and Argentina, with both teams aiming to be crowned world champions and earn the right to be called the “World Champions” for the next four years. It was a match that Spain dominated and eventually won thanks to a Ferran Torres goal in extra time, securing their second FIFA World Cup title in history.
Now, let’s move away from the result of the World Cup final, which had football fans around the world glued to their TVs and phone screens to see who would lift the trophy. The event also attracted many high-profile guests, including Donald Trump, former footballers, the FIFA president, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Beyoncé, NBA stars, Carlos Alcaraz, and many others.
Footballers have spent their careers getting used to a normal 15-minute break before returning to the pitch. A halftime that’s twice as long changes that routine and could affect them mentally. Elite athletes are expected to adapt, but it still seems like an unnecessary change to make during the biggest match in world football.
To be fair, the production looked impressive. The stage, lighting, and overall presentation were well done as it was hosted in the USA, so we were not expecting less to be honest. I enjoyed Burna Boy and Shakira’s performance of the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem. As a Nigerian, I was proud to see Burna Boy represent the country on football’s biggest stage, even though the Super Eagles did not qualify for the tournament. Burna Boy made history by becoming the first and only African artist to perform at both a FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony and a FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show. After performing at the tournament’s opening ceremony in Mexico City, the Grammy-winning artist returned to the stage for the first-ever World Cup Final Halftime Show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Justin Bieber was another standout, giving a wonderful performance and showing that his vocals are still as smooth as ever.
However, those moments were not enough to make the halftime show truly memorable. Apart from Burna Boy, Shakira, and Justin Bieber, the performances by stars such as BTS, Madonna, and Coldplay blended together rather than creating iconic World Cup moments. Once the show ended, there was very little that felt unforgettable. It wasn’t a bad show; to me, it was just a concert placed in the middle of a very big match. While it was clearly intended to entertain fans and ease the tension that comes with a final, it didn’t feel like a necessary addition to the biggest match in football.
That’s why I’m still not convinced the halftime show was necessary. The World Cup final already has everything it needs to be unforgettable. The atmosphere inside the stadium, the excitement of the match, and the trophy presentation afterward already provide all the entertainment football fans expect. The tournament also has its traditional opening and closing ceremonies. Before the final kicked off, Post Malone performed songs including Sunflower alongside Swae Lee, giving fans a musical spectacle before a ball had even been kicked. With entertainment already built into the event, a halftime concert didn’t feel like a necessary addition to the World Cup final.
From a business point of view, the decision makes sense. A halftime show attracts sponsors, celebrities, and viewers who may not normally watch football. But unlike other sporting events that are known for halftime entertainment, the FIFA World Cup has never needed it. The final is already watched by billions because of the football, not because of a concert between the two halves.
If FIFA decides to keep halftime shows at future World Cups, they will likely improve and become better over time. However, this first attempt did not convince me that it is a tradition the tournament needs. While there were some enjoyable performances and a few memorable moments, the show as a whole was not very special and did not add anything important to the experience of a World Cup final.
