World Cup 94 chief Alan Rothenberg: ‘We wanted Whitney Houston on the pitch but Fifa said no’

The man in charge the last time the US hosted the World Cup marvels at the transformation of football in America over the last 32 years

The Super Bowl-style half-time show curated by Chris Martin for the World Cup final will not be to everybody's tastes, but one octogenarian American will have a wry smile on his face when Madonna and Shakira walk out on to the pitch at MetLife Stadium next month.

In his role as chair and chief executive of the 1994 World Cup, Alan Rothenberg wanted Whitney Houston to perform on the pitch at the final at Pasadena's Rose Bowl, only to be overruled by Fifa, who insisted that the singer stay on the sidelines.