We've been desperate for someone to take on Donald Trump. Who knew it would be Coldplay's Chris Martin? | Simon Price

The World Cup’s pop-saturated spectacle in the United States became the article’s main theme, while singer Chris Martin of Coldplay is credited with a pivotal moment during the tournament’s half-time show. The piece argues that the U.S. co-host culture—and rising event commercialization—was evident long before the final, citing higher supporter costs for the 2026 tournament with Mexico and Canada. It also references specific travel pricing, including a $13 train fare to MetLife Stadium allegedly raised to $105. The author describes controversial incidents involving officials and match operations, then contrasts them with a half-time show that turned surreal before Coldplay’s Martin delivered a performance tied to a Pelé screen moment. The overall point is how entertainment choices reshaped the tournament atmosphere and challenged FIFA’s own rules.