'Turning strangers into friends' - FIFA's World Cup final had Shakira, Justin Bieber and Donald Trump, but soccer got lost in the spectacle
The 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey was marked by a heavy focus on American-style spectacle and celebrity appearances, which some critics felt overshadowed the sport itself. The event highlighted the tension between FIFA's commercial ambitions and the traditional football experience.
Why it matters
This reflects the ongoing debate regarding the 'Americanization' of global sports and the commercialization of major international tournaments.
FIFA's 104th and final Super Bowl delivered plenty of American pomp and circumstance, yet seemed to forget about the soccer
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Before the 2026 World Cup Final actually started, iShowSpeed did a backflip.
The YouTuber, influencer, and ubiquitous face of American soccer - the kid who made it big after weaponizing his fandom for Cristiano Ronaldo - marked his autotune-heavy performance with an Olympic-caliber bit of acrobatic flair.
His cameo was an encapsulation of this chaotic occasion.
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