The World Cup final, which saw Spain triumph over Argentina with a 1-0 victory in added time, will perhaps be remembered more for its peculiar off-field moments and a distinctly flat atmosphere than for the quality of football on display. The match, held on Sunday, 19th July 2026, was preceded by an extended closing ceremony and featured a half-time show that drew widespread criticism, contributing to significant delays and a sense of farce.
Actor Tom Cruise kicked off the pre-match festivities with a monologue described by many as 'tone-deaf', given the controversies surrounding the tournament. His comments about 'unity' and 'greatness' struck an odd note, leading to the final being delayed by six minutes. The ceremony also featured YouTuber IShowSpeed, real name Darren Watkins Jr., whose lip-syncing performance of 'World Cup (Champions)' was heavily criticised on social media, with one observer on X stating, "Speed out here with the worst lip-syncing performance of all time."
The half-time show, intended to be a Super Bowl-style spectacle, featured performances from Madonna, Shakira, and BTS. However, it was Justin Bieber's acoustic rendition of 'Everything Hallelujah' that arguably killed the mood, sending parts of the MetLife Stadium to sleep. BBC pundit Wayne Rooney famously labelled the entire half-time concert as 'crap'. Adding to the surreal nature of the interval, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy made an unexpected appearance alongside conductor Gustavo Dudamel, performing a version of The White Stripes’ 'Seven Nation Army'. This extended interlude lasted over 27 minutes, directly contravening Ifab's rules that stipulate half-time breaks should not exceed 15 minutes.
On the pitch, the first 90 minutes offered little to excite, but drama unfolded in injury time when Argentina's Enzo Fernandez received his second yellow card. The Chelsea midfielder was initially booked for dissent after reacting furiously to not being awarded a free-kick. Barely ten minutes later, he made a wild challenge on Spain’s Pau Cabarsi, leading to a clear second yellow. Fernandez’s prolonged protest, including wagging his finger and demanding a VAR review, further delayed proceedings before he eventually accepted his dismissal.
Argentina’s performance throughout the match was widely criticised for its defensive 'anti-football' approach. The team’s conduct continued to draw negative attention at the final whistle, further cementing the perception of a final that delivered more in terms of bizarre spectacle and controversy than memorable footballing moments. The events of the day left many questioning the balance between entertainment and the integrity of the game.