Changes in World Cup Final: Halftime Show and New Traditions

The FIFA World Cup final on Sunday will resonate with American viewers in a new way. Mirroring the Super Bowl, the event will feature its own halftime show.

However, the World Cup’s halftime show is generating less enthusiasm compared to events like performances by Bad Bunny. Critics view it as altering the essence of the sport. This is part of ongoing changes which began with this tournament’s hydration breaks.

FIFA has introduced “cooling breaks” before, notably during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. But this year, mandatory hydration breaks were instituted in the middle of each half. These three-minute pauses effectively split matches into quarters. England coach Thomas Tuchel remarked, “interrupts and changes the identity of a football match much more than I thought.” Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa expressed, “Playing four periods instead of two alters the culturally constructed conception of how to interpret football.” He added, “It adds nothing and takes away a lot.”

Despite initial reservations, some coaches have adapted. U.S.’s Mauricio Pochettino was seen using breaks for tactical discussions. U.S. player Sergiño Dest acknowledged, “It’s nice to have a hydration break,” providing time to “settle and talk with your teammates.”

Reuters reports that halftime will extend to 25 minutes to accommodate performances by Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, and BTS.

This exceeds the standard 15-minute halftime outlined in international football rules. Halftime shows in soccer, such as last year’s Club World Cup, have faced similar scrutiny. Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo stated, “Because there’s going to be a concert, we’ll be walking back out 20 to 25 minutes later.” He warned that longer breaks could disrupt player fitness.

FIFA’s changes don’t stop there. On Thursday, FIFA announced that winning players will receive championship rings beside the World Cup trophy and gold medals. This marks a first in soccer history, with FIFA noting it brings “one of the most recognizable American sporting traditions to the global game.”

These changes bring more American elements into the global sport in notable ways.