FIFA Extends World Cup Final Halftime to 30 Minutes for Show

The halftime interval for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final is expected to be extended to 30 minutes, a significant departure from the sport's standard 15-minute break, to accommodate a star-studded halftime show. The final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Spain will face the winner of the semifinal between Argentina and England.

FIFA confirmed that the historic FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show will be co-headlined by Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and BTS, with the performance curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay. Additional performers reportedly include Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus. The show itself is expected to last approximately 11 minutes, but broadcasters are preparing for a total interval of up to 30 minutes to include the performance and standard pundit analysis segments.

This planned extension appears to contravene the Laws of the Game, which are set by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and stipulate that the halftime interval must not exceed 15 minutes. In 2021, IFAB rejected a proposal from the South American confederation CONMEBOL to extend the maximum break to 25 minutes, citing concerns...