This year's Super Bowl will pitch the Seattle Seahawks against the New England Patriots, but it's still open whether the mega-event will give the weary people of the United States a welcome break from the political context.

Cooper Kupp, however, hasn't given up hopes that at least for a few hours people will be able to take a much-desired break.

"The Super Bowl won't change anything, it won't change anyone's perspective. But I'm optimistic that it will bring people together," the Seattle Seahawks wide receiver told dpa.

Kupp won the Vince Lombardi trophy in 2022. Back then he was playing for the Los Angeles Rams and they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals. Kupp was also named Super Bowl MVP.

Political tension

US President Donald Trump won't be in attendance in Santa Clara, but the event has been more than football and entertainment for a while.

His administration has made the headlines worldwide due to his aggressive push for the United States to take control of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory belonging to Denmark.

But also for the aggressive deportation enforcement aided by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

ICE agents have been deployed in multiple US cities and during operations, two US citizens were fatally shot by federal officers in January in Minneapolis.

"It's sad that we are where we are as a country," Kupp said.

Trump also criticized Bad Bunny, who's hosting this year's half-time show. The US president said that the Latin American superstar is "a terrible choice."

Bad Bunny sings exclusively in Spanish and has repeatedly criticized the Trump and his immigration policies - most recently in his speech after receiving the Grammys award for best música urbana album last weekend.

"We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens," he said. "We are humans and we are Americans."

ICE agents, meanwhile, will not be on duty at the Super Bowl on Sunday, according to NFL head of security Cathy Lanier.

Goodell defends Bad Bunny, conservatives host 'patriotic event'

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said earlier this week that Bad Bunny is "one of the best artists" and the he understands that the Super Bowl is a powerful stage "to bring people together."

However, in a series of politically charged reactions to the NFL's choice, the conservative organization Turning Point America, founded by the late Charlier Kirk, is offering a "patriotic" event as another option: "The All-American" half-time show, headlined by long-time Trump ally Kid Rock.

On the pitch

The Seahawks haven't been involved in a Super Bowl since 2015 – when this season's opponents Patriots denied them back-to-back wins.

Back then, the Patriots, led by American football great Tom Brady, claimed their fourth Super Bowl and went on to win two more. But since 2019, the Patriots haven't even been in contention to play in the big game.

The NFL has been dominated by the Kansas City Chiefs in the past six years, but Patrick Mahomes and his team-mates failed to reach the play-offs this season, and opened the door for a match-up that feels like a throwback.

After a wide-open race to this year's showpiece, the Patriots are bidding to make history and become the NFL team with most Super Bowl wins.

They are tied on six with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Seahawks seek their second title.