Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium to claim their second World Cup title, but the match itself was almost an afterthought. The first-ever World Cup final halftime show, a 30-minute production modelled on the Super Bowl, drew sharp criticism and became the focal point of a tournament already marked by political interference from the White House.

The halftime spectacle

The show, directed by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, opened with Madonna performing a medley of 'Music' and 'Danceteria' alongside Brazilian legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho in a disco-themed set. Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel then led the New York Philharmonic, the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, Iranian singer Bijan Mortazavi, and the Muppets in an orchestral version of the White Stripes' 'Seven Nation Army'. Shakira danced with children, Burna Boy performed, Justin Bieber sang a slow Christian song with a viola, and the finale brought together Coldplay, Ted Lasso, and the Muppets.

Pre-recorded and 'a bit sloppy'

Viewers quickly questioned whether parts of the show were computer-generated. Irish filmmaker Ruan Magan, who has directed major stadium events, dismissed the AI speculation.

“There's no AI in that.”

He confirmed Madonna's opening was pre-recorded, calling a live performance "practically ridiculous" given the chaos of moving props onto the pitch. Magan noted the vivid oranges and pinks were likely meant to evoke a childlike, joyous atmosphere but may have contributed to the impression of digital manipulation. He found some moments "a bit sloppy, a bit clumsy" but praised the final message of love delivered by a diverse cast of mostly children, calling it welcome given the political climate in the United States. Former England striker Wayne Rooney was less charitable, describing the show as "crap".

Trump's fingerprints on the tournament

President Donald Trump had already shaped the narrative before the final. He admitted asking FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the red card shown to US striker Folarin Balogun, which led to the suspension being overturned. The US still lost to Belgium in the round of 16. Other controversies included a Somali referee barred from entering the US, the Iranian team being unable to sleep on US soil, and Spanish 2008 winner Capdevilla being denied entry because he once played an exhibition match with Iran.

Trophy ceremony photo op

Trump arrived at the final by helicopter, landing beside the stadium, and took his seat next to Infantino about 20 minutes before kick-off. During the trophy presentation, he lingered on the podium, positioning himself in the centre of the frame as Spain's Rodri waited. Infantino eventually guided him away discreetly, but the television cameras captured the moment.

A break that broke tradition

The halftime show stretched the traditional 15-minute interval to 30 minutes, drawing criticism from players and pundits who said it disrupted the rhythm of the match. Observers noted the attempt to turn the World Cup into a Super Bowl-style product reflected a broader American effort to reshape the sport, from the pre-match performances by Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger to Tom Cruise's speech before kick-off.