FIFA's Super Bowl-inspired halftime show became one of the World Cup Final's biggest talking points.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina wasn't just remembered for the football. Instead, much of the conversation after the match centered around FIFA's decision to introduce its first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show. A spectacle packed with celebrities, surprise appearances, and a halftime break that lasted nearly twice as long as usual.
While FIFA aimed to create an unforgettable entertainment experience, many viewers thought the result was simply bizarre.
FIFA Packed The Final With A Star-Studded Spectacle
Inspired by the NFL's Super Bowl, FIFA transformed halftime into a full-scale concert featuring an eye-catching lineup of global stars.
The show included performances from Shakira, Justin Bieber, BTS, Coldplay, Madonna, Burna Boy, and several other artists. Hollywood actor Tom Cruise
also made an appearance, while YouTube star IShowSpeed performed his official World Cup anthem during the event's festivities, highlighting FIFA's push to blend internet culture with mainstream entertainment.
The expanded production stretched halftime to around 27 minutes, significantly longer than football's traditional 15-minute break.
Fans Call The Show "A Fever Dream"
While some viewers enjoyed the ambitious production, many football fans weren't convinced.
Social media quickly filled with reactions criticizing the event for feeling chaotic and overproduced. Some compared the rapid succession of celebrity appearances to "a fever dream," arguing there was simply too much happening at once for any performance to leave a lasting impression.
One of the biggest talking points was Tom Cruise's dramatic speech, which many viewers described as awkward and out of place. Instead of building excitement for the match, some fans felt the Hollywood-style monologue interrupted the atmosphere and leaned too heavily into spectacle.
Justin Bieber's stripped-back performance of his own song "Everything Hallelujah" also became a talking point. After Madonna and BTS had energized the crowd, Bieber slowed the show down with an intimate acoustic performance. While some appreciated the quieter moment, many viewers felt it brought the show's momentum to a halt and clashed with the fast-paced, spectacle-driven atmosphere of the rest of the halftime show.
Others questioned whether football even needs a Super Bowl-style halftime show, saying the spectacle distracted from the match and turned one of the biggest sporting events in the world into a celebrity showcase.
Is FIFA Trying Too Hard To Copy The Super Bowl?
The mixed reception has already sparked debate over whether FIFA should continue experimenting with halftime entertainment in future tournaments.
For years, the World Cup final has focused almost entirely on football, with opening and closing ceremonies kept separate from the match itself. By bringing concerts directly into halftime, FIFA clearly signaled its intention to turn the final into a broader entertainment event similar to the Super Bowl.
Whether that becomes a long-term tradition remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: FIFA's first attempt gave fans plenty to talk about, whether they loved it or hated it.
What do you think? Should the World Cup keep its new halftime show, or should FIFA stick to football? Let us know in the comments.
