- The first-ever halftime show at a Fifa World Cup final featured an eclectic mix of performers including Madonna , BTS , Justin Bieber , Shakira, Burna Boy, and Coldplay, alongside appearances from The Muppets and football legends Ronaldinho and Ronaldo.
- The half-time break lasted 27 minutes and 19 seconds, exceeding the International Football Association Board's (IFAB) 15-minute limit for halftime breaks.
- The extended duration and nature of the show sparked criticism online, with one X user writing: “Halftime show at World Cup final. Look how they massacred my beautiful game.”
- Despite the backlash, some viewers praised the spectacle, deeming it impressive and superior to Super Bowl halftime shows.
- The controversial halftime show, along with other structural changes like hydration breaks, has created controversy for Fifa for altering traditional football formats.
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