A football match traditionally features a 15-minute half-time interval, but Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final could include the longest break in the tournament’s history. With a major entertainment show planned, FIFA is considering extending the interval to between 20 and 30 minutes.
The move would represent another significant departure from football’s traditional format, reflecting FIFA’s growing willingness to embrace elements of the North American sports entertainment model.
The governing body is reportedly weighing a longer half-time break to accommodate an expanded musical performance, similar to the iconic Super Bowl halftime show.
Several global music stars are expected to perform before fans at MetLife Stadium, where Spain will take on reigning world champions Argentina. The line-up reportedly includes Shakira, Justin Bieber, Burna Boy, Madonna and K-pop sensation BTS, with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin serving as the show’s artistic director.
According to The Times, the interval could last as long as 30 minutes, noting that the FIFA Club World Cup final earlier this year featured a break of almost 25 minutes.
However, both the BBC and The Athletic report that FIFA is leaning towards a 20-minute interval. The Athletic also expects a longer-than-usual half-time break, while FIFA has officially confirmed an 11-minute performance, describing it as “a memorable celebration at the intersection of sport, music and global influence.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will be played this Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.