Why the World Cup half-time show may be a taste of things to come

British football content creator Ellis Platten has expressed reservations about certain elements introduced at this year's World Cup, specifically mentioning the half-time show and the hydration breaks. Platten, who has been following the tournament across host nations for the past month, feels these additions are unnecessary for an event that already commands massive global viewership.

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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.

"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," Platten stated. He elaborated on the potential impact on the game itself, noting that fans in stadiums can become restless during the extended half-time, and questioned the consideration for player welfare. "You'd almost have to make a sub at half time because of player welfare," he added, suggesting that organizers might be prioritizing entertainment acts like Justin Bieber over the athletes, such as Lionel Messi, who are central to the final match.

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Being a football fan in a stadium, by the end of half time people are quite restless.

Another commentator, Glover, shares similar sentiments, questioning if football truly needs a half-time show. She observed that the World Cup coverage, particularly in the US, seems heavily focused on advertising with minimal analysis. This observation aligns with Platten's concern that the event is becoming overly "Americanized" in its presentation, potentially detracting from the traditional football experience. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has previously rejected proposals to extend half-time beyond 15 minutes, citing player welfare and injury risks associated with prolonged inactivity.

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You'd almost have to make a sub at half time because of player welfare.