The first World Cup final half-time show, which extended the traditional 15-minute break to 27 minutes, faced criticism from former England forward Wayne Rooney and fellow pundits.

The event, curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin, featured performances by Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and South Korean boy band BTS, alongside Muppets and Sesame Street characters.

Rooney, alongside BBC pundits Joe Hart and Micah Richards, expressed disappointment, stating the show 'didn’t get me going' and wished for the football match to resume.

The extended break, part of FIFA's initiative to support the Global Citizen Education Fund, aimed to raise $100 million for education and football access for children globally.

While some, like Richards, praised Shakira's performance, Rooney's blunt critique highlighted the disconnect between the entertainment and the sporting event's purpose.Pundits like Roy Keane noted the anti-climax for viewers but acknowledged stadium enjoyment.

The half-time show followed a closing ceremony featuring Tom Cruise, Robbie Williams, and Jennifer Hudson, underscoring FIFA's efforts to blend entertainment with global initiatives.