The World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium featured an extended half-time interval, marking a significant departure from the traditional 15-minute break. This innovation, introduced for the 2026 World Cup, brought with it a degree of controversy, as it meant the final broke the International Football Association’s 15-minute half-time mandate.
The decision to extend the half-time period was driven by a Super Bowl-style show, co-headlined by artists such as Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and K-pop group BTS. This elaborate entertainment spectacle led to the half-time potentially lasting more than 25 minutes, making it the longest in the tournament’s history. While Fifa had indicated a duration of around 20 minutes, the actual timeframe was subject to variables related to the setup and dismantling of the stage for the performances.
Pre-match and Half-time Performances
Before the main half-time event, the final’s closing ceremony also featured musical entertainment. This pre-match ceremony, which occurred at 13:30 local time, included performances by Jennifer Hudson, who sang the United States national anthem. Other artists scheduled to perform were Tom Cruise, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and IShowSpeed. The pre-match entertainment also saw Post Malone debut a new single and duet with Swae Lee on their track Sunflowers. Additionally, online influencer IShowSpeed performed his track Champions, which gained online traction and was included on the official Fifa World Cup album.
The half-time show itself, despite the extended break, was described by some as a comparative triumph. It managed to pack numerous acts into its 11-minute duration by shortening songs and swiftly transitioning between artists. Madonna performed a version of her 2000 hit Music, reworked with a backing track derived from The Trammps’ Disco Inferno, while on a vehicle piloted by former Brazil football players Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
The show also featured three members of The Muppets’ house band, The Electric Mayhem, performing The White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army. BTS delivered their song Dynamite, and Shakira alongside Burna Boy performed a truncated version of Dai Dai, a World Cup song that had an impact on the British charts. Coldplay also contributed with a song titled Believe in Love, accompanied by a children’s choir and the sound of vuvuzela players.
A potential misstep in the half-time show was noted as Justin Bieber’s performance of an acoustic ballad, Everything Hallelujah. Despite its viral success following his appearance at Coachella, some felt it might not have been the most suitable choice for the event. However, the overall sentiment was that the half-time show justified its existence for this occasion, even if not everyone shared the same positive view. For instance, Wayne Rooney reportedly expressed a negative opinion when asked by presenter Gabby Logan.
Impact on Players and Match Schedule
The extended half-time break raised questions about its impact on the players. There was a possibility that players might need to complete some form of warm-up if the break extended to the longer end of the estimated duration. The laws of the game, as governed by the International Football Association Board (Ifab), explicitly state that players are entitled to a half-time break not exceeding 15 minutes.
This extended format was not entirely unprecedented in Fifa-organised events. The half-time of the previous year’s Club World Cup final, also held in New Jersey, lasted 24 minutes due to a performance featuring artists like Coldplay, J Balvin, Doja Cat, Tems, and Emmanuel Kelly. The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina kicked off at 15:00 local time on 19 July.
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Source: theguardian.com
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Charlie Bradshaw is the Senior Football Correspondent at News-GB, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with ten years of reporting experience. He covered Merseyside football before going national. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Liverpool John Moores University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Liverpool, he watches non-league sides and collects old match programmes. “The back page is only ever half the story.”