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26 Jul 2026
Ronaldinho, left, and Ronaldo stand with Madonna as she performs during the halftime show in the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
FIFA Hosts First Ever World Cup Final Halftime Show
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) Famous singers performed live at a huge football match
b) A pet dog won the World Cup trophy
c) Football players sang songs during the match
Ask:
(1) Did you watch the football match on television?
(2) Who is your favourite singer or musical group?
VOCABULARY
match
(noun)
stadium
(noun)
performance
(noun)
final
(noun)
music
(noun)
global
(adjective)
A game played between two sports teams.
Example: The football match was exciting to watch.
A large sports arena with seats for many fans.
Example: Millions watched the game at the stadium.
Music or dancing done in front of an audience.
Example: The singer gave a brilliant performance.
The last game in a big sports competition.
Example: Both teams worked hard to win the final.
Sounds made by instruments or singing.
Example: Children loved listening to lively music.
Involving or affecting the whole world.
Example: Football is a famous global sport.
The world of sports received a big musical surprise. For the very first time, the FIFA World Cup final featured a huge halftime show. This special event took place in North America. The big football match was hosted in a huge stadium. During the break between halves, famous singers performed live for the crowd. Millions of people watched the show on television all over the world. Organisers combined music and sports to make the final match even more exciting for young fans. They hoped that this global show would bring families and friends together. People who loved football and people who loved music both enjoyed the big day. It was a fantastic day of sport and entertainment for everyone in the audience.
Listen
Shakira performs during halftime during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Do you prefer watching sports or listening to music?
2. Who is your favourite singer or band?
3. Would you like to watch a World Cup match inside a huge stadium?
4. What sports do you play at school with your friends?
5. Why do you think people enjoy watching halftime music shows?
6. Which famous person would you like to see at a football game?
FILL IN THE GAPS
FILL THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: global, match, performance, stadium
The world of sports received a big musical surprise. For the very first time, the FIFA World Cup final featured a huge halftime _______(1). This special event took place in North America. The big football _______(2) was hosted in a huge _______(3) in North America. During the break between halves, famous singers performed live for the crowd. Millions of people watched the show on television all over the world. Organisers combined music and sports to make the final match even more exciting for young fans. They hoped that this _______(4) show would bring families and friends together. People who loved football and people who loved music both enjoyed the big day. It was a fantastic day of sport and entertainment for everyone in the audience.
Section 2: Main Idea
What is the main idea of the article?
a) Football players stopped playing sports to sing songs.
b) The World Cup final featured a live music show at halftime.
c) A new sports stadium was built for pop stars.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True and False
1. The World Cup final will feature a halftime show for the first time. T/F
2. The big football match will take place in Asia. T/F
3. Millions of people will watch the show on television. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Put these events in order from 1 to 3:
a) Famous singers perform live during halftime.
b) Organisers plan a huge halftime show for 2026.
c) Millions of viewers watch the final match on TV.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. Match
2. Stadium
3. Performance
4. Global
a) Involving the whole world
b) A game between two sports teams
c) A large venue for sports and events
d) A live music or dance show
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
Choose the best word to complete each sentence:
1. I love watching a football _______ with my family on weekends.
a) match b) chair c) pencil
2. The popular singer gave an amazing _______ during the break.
a) lunch b) performance c) window
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
Put the words in order (A-E):
1. A) will / B) perform / C) singers / D) live / E) famous
2. A) watch / B) football / C) fans / D) will / E) the match
ANSWER KEY
Warm Up Answer: a) Famous singers performed live at a huge football match
Section 1: 1) performance, 2) match, 3) stadium, 4) global
Section 2: b) The World Cup final featured a live music show at halftime.
Section 3: 1) True, 2) False, 3) True
Section 4: 1) b, 2) a, 3) c
Section 5: 1-b, 2-c, 3-d, 4-a
Section 6: 1) a, 2) b
Section 7:
1) A-B-C-D-E (Famous singers performed live on stage),
2) A-B-C-D-E (Fans watched the football match)
Section 8: Student's own answers.
Thank you for your feedback!