Why the World Cup half-time show may be a taste of things to come
The 2026 World Cup's spectacle is creating debate about the place of music in sport - and how it could infiltrate other tournaments.
Coverage by Political Leaning
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Notable Quotes
"There's a battle to get more Americans involved and fall in love with this game - it's obviously not their main sport..."
— Betty Glover , Other
"Expectation from fans has heightened when it comes to big sporting events, meaning music could feature more in future."
— James Massing , Executive
"I get that it's the World Cup final, but it's the most-watched event in the world already and I don't think you need to add these things to it."
— Ellis Platten , Influencer
Key People
Betty Glover is a sports broadcaster who has covered events such as the World Cup across the US.
BTS is a globally popular South Korean boy band known for their music and cultural impact.
Burna Boy is a Nigerian singer and songwriter known for his Afro-fusion music.
Ellis Platten is a British football content creator known for his insights and travels related to the sport.
James Massing is a representative at Live Nation responsible for organizing high-profile live events.
Justin Bieber is a Canadian singer and songwriter known for his influential pop music career.
Madonna is a seven-time Grammy winner and pop star releasing a new album.
Colombian singer known for her performances and music.
Locations
All Coverage
The 2026 World Cup's spectacle is creating debate about the place of music in sport - and how it could infiltrate other tournaments.
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