The 2026 World Cup halftime show sparked fierce debate among German fans. With a 27-minute runtime and Super Bowl-style spectacle, the break became a talking point – and 82 percent of BILD readers called it over the top. The German national team’s 1-1 draw with Paraguay on June 29, 2026 remains fresh in the memory, but reactions to the show couldn’t be more divided.
What exactly happened during halftime?
The halftime show at the 2026 World Cup in the USA was a blockbuster. Shakira and BTS performed before billions, while the German national team was in the final. The 27-minute spectacle packed in glitz, music, and a production that clearly aimed to entertain on a global scale. Yet while some fans loved it, many Germans saw it as too commercial and over-the-top.
BILD readers weighed in with strong opinions. Carsten Rauschenberg argued the money spent on the show could have lowered ticket prices. Burkhard Thomas urged Germans to relax: „We Germans should just loosen up.“ Hans-Peter Uhlenberg called it out of place: „That has nothing to do with football. It was just for the super-rich.“ Andre Saynisch fired back at the critics: „This is so typically German.“ He added, „I loved it. Without the show, we’d have been stuck watching Mertesacker and Kramer analyze the first half instead – so bring on Shakira!“
Why the show is dividing fans
Opinions are split sharply among German supporters. Ralph Fritzsch pointed out taste is subjective: „No one’s forced to watch. Most of the rest of the world loved it.“ Michael Lichtenberg put it simply: „Football is football and show is show.“ Ulf Tetzlaff even saw progress: „The wheel won’t turn back now.“ Gabriele Schmitt raved about the performances: „For me, Shakira was the absolute highlight and BTS were top.“ Daniel Proietti, however, accused FIFA of becoming a „money machine“ – a criticism that also targeted the so-called drink breaks.
What’s next for the DFB side?
The German national team has stabilized after the 1-1 draw with Paraguay on June 29, 2026. Their last five results read 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss (WLWWW) before the 2026 World Cup in the USA reached its climax. The next test comes on September 24, 2026, when Germany travels to the Netherlands. The buildup to that match will show whether the team can move past the halftime-show debates and focus on football.
The halftime show remains a symbol of the clashing expectations at a World Cup. Some see it as over the top, others as a necessary step to make football more globally appealing. One thing is certain: the debate will linger with fans for a long time.
