Roy Keane once again proved why he is one of football’s most entertaining television pundits after delivering a trademark blunt assessment of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final half-time show.
Appearing on ITV’s coverage of the final between Spain and Argentina, the former Manchester United captain described the entertainment as “a bit of an anti-climax.”
However, his criticism quickly turned into one of the night’s funniest television moments when he added with a smile, “It’s always nice to see Shakira.”
The unexpected remark immediately left presenter Mark Pougatch and fellow pundits Gary Neville and Ian Wright laughing in the studio.
ITV Panel Split Over Stadium Spectacle
While Keane remained unconvinced by the performance, he acknowledged that fans inside New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium may have enjoyed the experience more than television viewers.
Ian Wright largely agreed with his former colleague, suggesting the show lacked the excitement expected from such a global event.
“I felt like maybe it should have been a little bit more upbeat,” Wright said, adding that the performance failed to inject energy before the second half.
Gary Neville, however, offered a different perspective.
The former England defender admitted he enjoyed the production and expressed hope that the football after the interval would provide even greater entertainment.
Shakira Among Star-Studded Performers
The half-time production assembled an impressive collection of international stars.
Shakira appeared in a sparkling pink-and-yellow sequined bodysuit while performing her track Dai Dai alongside Nigerian music star Burna Boy, drawing one of the loudest reactions of the evening.
Music icon Madonna opened the futuristic-themed show with a performance of Music, joined by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo Nazário and Ronaldinho, who helped escort her onto the stage before sharing a celebratory moment with the crowd.
Justin Bieber followed with an acoustic rendition of a specially adapted World Cup version of Everything Hallelujah, ending the performance with the lyric, “It’s the World Cup, Hallelujah.”
South Korean supergroup BTS also energized supporters with a performance of their global hit Dynamite, while the Muppets added an unexpected family-friendly element to the production.
Social Media Delights in Keane’s Shakira Remark
Keane’s brief reference to Shakira quickly became one of the most talked-about moments online.
Football fans flooded X with humorous reactions, with many joking that the outspoken Irishman had revealed a softer side.
Some users described him as “a man of taste,” while others quipped that he had spoken for everyone watching, praising Shakira’s performance and enduring stage presence.
Another popular comment referenced the singer’s famous hit by joking that “those hips don’t lie.”
Rooney Offers Even Harsher Assessment
ITV was not the only broadcaster where the half-time entertainment came under scrutiny.
On BBC coverage of the final, Wayne Rooney delivered an even more scathing review, telling presenter Gabby Logan that his favourite part of the performance was “when it finished.”
Although Rooney praised artists including Burna Boy, Shakira and Justin Bieber individually, he argued that the overall production failed to generate excitement and distracted from the football.
He admitted he simply wanted the match to resume, describing the show as flat despite its world-class lineup.
Celebrities Also Question the Timing
Several well-known personalities echoed the criticism across social media.
Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher compared the spectacle to “a bad trip,” while television personality Sam Thompson questioned whether such an elaborate production belonged in the middle of football’s biggest match, joking that players were effectively watching Sesame Street while trying to stay physically prepared.
Broadcaster Lorraine Kelly also weighed in with a light-hearted comment, saying she enjoyed seeing Animal from the Muppets on the drums but urged organizers to “get on with the football.”
Spain Clinch World Cup Glory
Despite the debate surrounding the entertainment, attention eventually returned to the action on the pitch.
Spain secured the 2026 FIFA World Cup title after Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in extra time to defeat Argentina, capping off a dramatic final and delivering Spain another historic triumph on football’s biggest stage.
Entertainment Debate Continues Beyond the Final
The mixed reaction to the inaugural World Cup final half-time show has sparked fresh discussion about whether football should continue embracing American-style entertainment during its biggest occasions.
While many viewers appreciated the global lineup of performers, others argued that the extended musical spectacle interrupted the rhythm of the match.
Even so, one of the evening’s most memorable moments ultimately came not from the stage itself, but from Roy Keane’s witty one-liner about Shakira, which quickly became one of the most widely shared moments of the night.
