FIFA's ambition to transform the 2026 FIFA World Cup final into a commercial entertainment behemoth has resulted in a spectacular own goal. Supporters across the globe have reacted with fury to the tournament's inaugural half-time show, labelling the surreal production a 'bad trip' that disrupted the rhythm of football's most prestigious match.
The 27-minute break, which significantly exceeded the International Football Association Board (IFAB) guidelines for a 15-minute interval, prompted intense scrutiny of FIFA's growing obsession with American-style sporting spectacles.