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How the World Cup final is starting to look a lot like the Super Bowl
By Rohan Nadkarni | NBC News at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC)
· July 18, 2026
· 3 min read
For American viewers of the World Cup final on Sunday, the sport the rest of the world knows as football will closely resemble the one Americans call the same name.
That’s because, perhaps taking a cue from the Super Bowl, the FIFA World Cup final will feature its very own halftime show.
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Key takeaway Lasting three minutes each, the breaks effectively broke matches into quarters, which critics, such as England coach Thomas Tuchel, said “interrupts and changes the identity of a football match much more than I thought.
Why this matters in The San Francisco
The introduction of a halftime show to the World Cup final may be seen as an attempt to appeal to a broader American audience, familiar with the Super Bowl's entertainment format. However, for San Francisco 's diverse community of soccer fans, the changes to the traditional flow of the game may be met with skepticism. The mandated hydration breaks, which have effectively divided matches into quarters, have already been criticized by coaches for altering the sport's identity. As the city's residents gather to watch the World Cup final, they will be witnessing a significant departure from the traditional format of the game they love. The question is whether these changes will enhance the viewing experience for local fans or detract from the sport's unique cultural appeal. San Francisco's soccer enthusiasts will be watching closely to see how these changes play out and whether they will become a permanent part of the World Cup experience.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . The San Francisco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? For American viewers of the World Cup final on Sunday, the sport the rest of the world knows as football will closely resemble the one Americans call the same name.
That’s because, perhaps taking a cue from the Super Bowl, the FIFA World Cup final will feature its very own halftime show.
Un...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 18, 2026 by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Rohan Nadkarni | NBC News at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC). To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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