Former taoiseach Leo Varadkar has been widely criticised over his promotion of the World Cup final half-time show.<\/p>\n
Varadkar has worked in a number of different areas since leaving politics, including at US universities.<\/p>\n
He was appointed to the Europe board of directors for the international advocacy organization Global Citizen in September 2025.<\/p>\n
Through this role, he actively supports initiatives like the Fifa Global Citizen Education Fund.<\/p>\n
Some of the proceeds from the half-time show will go to this fund, and Varadkar was speaking about this in a post about the show.<\/p>\n
He wrote: “The first ever FIFA World Cup half-time show airs tonight. It’s only 11 minutes long but it’s going to be super special. There’ll still be time for half-time commentary and ads (and a toilet break) depending on the network or platform you watch. $60 million raised already for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.”<\/p>\n
The first ever FIFA World Cup half-time show airs tonight. It’s only 11 minutes long but it’s going to be super special. There’ll still be time for half-time commentary and ads (and a toilet break) depending on the network or platform you watch. $60 million raised already for\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/9mAZNZq0ws<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) July 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Fans were already unhappy with the half-time show, with some arguing it is an attempt from Fifa to move football more towards the commercialism of American Football.<\/p>\n The show will feature performances from the likes of Shakira, BTS, and Justin Bieber. It will be up to 25 minutes, and possibly more.<\/p>\n The International Football Association Board (Ifab) states players are entitled to a maximum 15-minute stoppage. Some fans also fear the break, at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, could ruin the flow of the game.<\/p>\n Varadkar’s post has received a hugely negative reaction online. Some told him to stay out of football, while others accused him of taking money from Fifa.<\/p>\n Others also said he should be more focused on the All-Ireland hurling final<\/a> as a former taoiseach.<\/p>\n Former Taoiseach and Irish Sports Minister on the day of the All Ireland hurling final \ud83e\udd26\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2642\ufe0f https:\/\/t.co\/5GAFWd0HXS<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Gear\u00f3id \u00d3g (@gearoid_og) July 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Football players and fans are being screwed over to pander to and appease gobshites like this. All this American shite has no place in football https:\/\/t.co\/abBv2qNnjV<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Roibeard Breathnach \ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddea (@rfwalsh86) July 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Tell me you do not understand football without telling me you don’t understand football https:\/\/t.co\/reZYqqyE2t<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Marc O’Reachtaire (@o_reachtaire) July 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n People who have no idea about sport shouldn’t be allowed promote things that will ruin it.<\/p>\n The half time show isn’t suitable for a game of international football.<\/p>\n It’s not a game of set plays like NFL.<\/p>\n Such ill informed drivel.<\/p>\n If its for such a good cause, then do it at the\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/qwiXDsrTTj<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Luke O’ Connor (@LOCthedreamer2) July 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n We don’t want half time shows, this is not American football.#FuckFIFA<\/a>. https:\/\/t.co\/AwocxRXs55<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Revolution (@Revolution_IRL) July 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Leo’s new PR role, help sell the world cup half time show. He says it’s only 11 minutes long, but the half time break will be 30 minutes. A complete break with footballing tradition. https:\/\/t.co\/bQgSW3EHw4<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Garvan Gallagher (@GallagherGarvan) July 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cSuper special\u201d he says. Must be on the payroll https:\/\/t.co\/yAcEHcLrBR<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Cian Muldoon (@duncandiscs) July 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n I was on the fence when the half time show was promoted by Infantino, Trump and even Satan but I’m definitely against it now… https:\/\/t.co\/RwBGngx8wn<\/a><\/p>\n