The men's World Cup final on Sunday is set to break with tradition by adding a halftime show for the first time. The change gives the championship match a more entertainment-heavy feel, inviting comparisons to the Super Bowl and signaling a different approach to one of soccer's biggest events.
According to the announced lineup, the performance will feature major music names including Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS and Burna Boy. The bill also stretches beyond pop stars, with the New York Philharmonic and a Staten Island grade school chorus listed as part of the show.
That unusually broad mix of performers has made the halftime show one of the most talked-about parts of the final before kickoff. But the response has not been entirely enthusiastic, with the idea of adding a spectacle to a match of this scale appearing to divide fans.
For supporters, the show could make the World Cup final feel even bigger as a global event. For critics, it represents another step away from the sport's usual traditions. Either way, the debut halftime performance is poised to be one of the defining storylines surrounding Sunday's final.
