FIFA, football’s global governing body, appears to be taking an unprecedented risk by bending one of the sport’s long-standing rules. For the first time in World Cup history, the organization plans to stage a Super Bowl-style halftime show at Sunday’s final. But more than the anticipation for the on-field action, it’s the length of the break itself that has become the bigger talking point. FIFA has made arrangements to extend the traditionally mandated 15-minute halftime interval to as much as 30 minutes, departing from football’s official Laws of the Game.
Argentina and Spain will meet in the final at MetLife Stadium (temporarily renamed New York-New Jersey Stadium) on Sunday, July 19, at 1 am Bangladesh time. According to various international media reports, the halftime break for this World Cup decider could stretch to around 30 minutes — far exceeding the standard 15-minute limit set by the sport’s rules.
Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy and Gustavo Dudamel are expected to headline the star-studded performance, dubbed the “Final Halftime Show,” curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. The PS22 Chorus, performing alongside Coldplay, will also take part. In addition, a grand pre-match ceremony will begin 90 minutes before kickoff, featuring performances from Robbie Williams, Tom Cruise and Nicole Scherzinger.
FIFA’s ambition to rival the Super Bowl’s iconic halftime spectacle has led broadcasters to anticipate an even longer break than usual — a move that, if realized, would make this the longest World Cup final in the tournament’s history. The three-minute hydration breaks already introduced during each half have similarly drawn criticism as a way to accommodate additional advertising.
An event organizer has defended the decision to extend the halftime show, arguing that critics of FIFA’s move “don’t fully understand the reasoning behind it.”
While the decision has drawn sharp criticism from many quarters, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has described the event as a “groundbreaking spectacle.” According to Infantino, it will create “a fusion of football, music and our shared values” that will “ensure a legacy that transcends the final whistle.”
A spokesperson for event management company Identity defended FIFA’s decision, saying, “FIFA’s decision to extend halftime is absolutely correct, and those expressing frustration over it are actually missing the point.”
They added, “Football has its own rhythm and its own rules, and of course those matter. But the World Cup final isn’t just another match — it happens once every four years and is watched by the largest audience of any single sporting event in the world. The real mistake would be treating this unique occasion like any other weekly fixture, rather than embracing something as significant as a halftime show.”
