World Cup final features extended half-time show with musical performances
The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina included a half-time show featuring performances from various artists, a first for the tournament. This event, held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, extended the usual half-time break to approximately 25 minutes, exceeding the 15-minute maximum stipulated by the International Football Association Board (Ifab).
The governing body Fifa described the show as a “landmark celebration at the intersection of sport, music and global impact.” The extended break has raised concerns regarding player welfare and the potential for injuries due to prolonged inactivity, a point previously cited by Ifab when rejecting proposals for longer half-times.
Half-time Performances and Reactions
The line-up for the half-time show included artists such as Shakira, Burna Boy, BTS, and Madonna. Other performers included Kermit and Miss Piggy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel with musicians from the New York Philharmonic and the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, dance troupe Ghetto Kids, Emmanuel Kelly, and the PS 22 Chorus. Chris Martin of Coldplay curated the performance.
During the show, Ronaldo (the Brazilian one) and Ronaldinho were seen driving a car onto the field with Madonna. Animal from The Muppets also performed on drums during a segment featuring “Seven Nation Army.”
The performances were not universally praised. One observer described the show as “underwhelming, cringeworthy crap,” while another noted that the live experience at the stadium did not translate well compared to the television broadcast. Despite the mixed reactions, the professional singers and children’s choir were acknowledged for their professional and wholesome performances.
Some attendees in Buenos Aires watched the final on screens outside businesses, experiencing broadcast delays that sometimes led to spoilers from nearby groups reacting to plays before they appeared on their own screens. For example, a round of applause for Lisandro “Licha” Martínez leaving the pitch was heard before it was seen on screen.
The Rationale Behind the Show
James Massing of Live Nation, involved in producing the half-time show, stated that sports events need to innovate to compete with other live experiences like museums, theatre, and cinema. He suggested that fan expectations for big sporting events have increased, potentially leading to more musical elements in the future.
Last year’s Club World Cup final, also organised by Fifa and held in the same stadium, featured a 24-minute half-time with live music from artists including Coldplay, J Balvin, Doja Cat, and Tems. Massing, who has also worked on the Super Bowl half-time show, believes that adding musical performances makes a final feel more significant.
However, some critics, such as football content creator Ellis Platten, expressed reservations about the half-time show and other initiatives at this year’s World Cup. Platten noted that the World Cup final is already the most-watched event globally and may not require additional entertainment. He also voiced concerns about the impact of the extended break on the game and players, suggesting that players might need to be substituted at half-time due to the prolonged inactivity.
Betty Glover, a sports broadcaster, also questioned the necessity of a half-time show for football, noting that the current World Cup feels very Americanised with numerous advertisements. Massing maintained that there is no compromise on the integrity of the sport and that player welfare is fundamental when organising such events. The artists performing in the show were not paid, but the event aimed to raise money for an education fund.
Celebrities were a consistent presence throughout the North American World Cup, from delivering the match ball to appearing on big screens during games. The half-time show itself lasted just over 27 minutes, with approximately 11 minutes dedicated to the actual performances and the remaining time used for stage setup and dismantling.
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Source: theguardian.com
