FIFA’s plan to add an American-style halftime show to the World Cup final has sparked backlash among soccer fans who say it doesn’t belong in the sport’s biggest event, as reported by The New York Post.

The organization announced on Thursday that the upcoming July 19 final at MetLife Stadium will feature a halftime show starring Shakira, Madonna, and BTS.

The show will be curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.

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It marks the first time FIFA has introduced a major performance during a World Cup final, a move that’s drawing heavy comparisons to the Super Bowl. The format shift, however, has not landed well with many international soccer supporters.

On X, criticism quickly surfaced as fans voiced frustration with the decision.

One user wrote, “Btw I don't think football fans will like halftime show lmao they are not like American football fans. Also, I hate that us is trying to make everything americanified.”

Another stated: "We don't want it."

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The U.S., Mexico, and Canada are co-hosting this year’s World Cup, and the show’s inclusion echoes American football’s flashy halftime traditions. Still, those accustomed to soccer’s uninterrupted flow see the idea as out of place.

The Super Bowl halftime show is known for massive acts and elaborate staging, but international tournaments such as the Champions League typically limit their entertainment to pre-match concerts.

The Associated Press recently reported, for example, that The Killers will perform before the Champions League final on May 30 rather than during halftime.

Beyond the cultural pushback, some fans have questioned how three major artists could fit within soccer’s standard 15-minute halftime break.

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The logistics of the production remain unclear, especially given the need to balance performance time with player rest.

FIFA officials emphasize the show’s charitable mission as a defense of the move.

In an Instagram post, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the event will be “bringing together music and football on the biggest stage in sport for a very special cause.”

Some fans have expressed excitement, citing the international popularity of the performers. Shakira’s return to the World Cup stage, following her iconic past appearances, has been met with particular enthusiasm.

However, skeptics argue that even high-profile stars cannot justify the format shift. One X commenter wrote, “Halftime show at the World Cup final feels like FIFA trying to be the Super Bowl.

Players just want to focus and recover. Shakira returning for what’s basically her Waka Waka swan song will be a moment though. Madonna and BTS feel forced.”

Another user reacted directly to FIFA’s announcement, posting, “Genuinely nobody cares. It's not American Handball where people only watch the Super Bowl for the halftime show.

People are watching the World Cup to watch football and the players. If you really wanted to host a half-time show, at least do it with relevant artists or global superstars.”

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Despite the online backlash, FIFA appears committed to moving forward with the spectacle. The performance is expected to bring significant media attention as organizers attempt to blend global music icons with the world’s most-watched sporting event.

Whether fans ultimately embrace the experiment or reject it as an unnecessary import remains to be seen. For now, the debate underscores the tension between global traditions and American-style showmanship.