Chris Martin of Coldplay curated the half-time show at the World Cup final, which included a rainbow smoke display and messages of inclusivity, seen as a public rebuke to Donald Trump.
Commercial excess and controversy
The tournament, co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada, faced criticism for high ticket prices and a $105 train ticket to the MetLife Stadium. Fifa extended the half-time to 25 minutes for a Super Bowl-style concert, breaking its own rules.
Before the tournament, African referee Omar Artan was refused entry to the US, and Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein was detained at O'Hare airport. Fifa president Gianni Infantino dismissed concerns, telling people to 'chill' and 'relax'.
The half-time show
The show featured Madonna, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Ted Lasso characters, the Muppets, BTS, Shakira, and Justin Bieber. Coldplay performed 'Believe in Love' with children wearing T-shirts with slogans like 'all of us a family' and 'stars that make a galaxy'. The sky above the stadium exploded in rainbow smoke, an LGBTQ+ solidarity statement.
Simon Price wrote: 'Martin was, effectively, trolling him.' The show was seen as a rebuke to Trump's policies, including those of ICE.
