India, July 20 -- Halftime shows are a staple of American sports. The Super Bowl halftime show has become something of a cultural cornerstone in recent years, featuring some of the biggest musicians. But outside the US, aside from a few cricket leagues, the concept of halftime shows is absent. Football, with its pacy style, has not adopted the trend. Up until now, that is. Trust the first FIFA World Cup hosted in the US in the 21st century to change that. FIFA had announced a grand halftime show at the final of the global event last year, and on Sunday, it came to pass. But with rather mixed results.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime show transformed MetLife Stadium into a celebratory atmosphere, curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin a...