This year’s World Cup final could last up to half an hour, something unprecedented until now and which has generated a lot of criticism due to what it would mean to double the usual break time between the first and second halves, completely breaking the rhythm of the players. The reason is none other than to accommodate the endless list of artists that FIFA wants to perform during the break and that hardly fit into the 15 minutes established by the regulations.
Although FIFA has not officially confirmed the change in its regulations, everything seems to indicate that the break will last from 25 to 30 minutes. “It will be the most watched 11-minute performance in history,” wrote Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, a few days ago when announcing that Justin Bieber was joining the lineup of performances that will take place during the World Cup final break. To these 11 minutes, in which singers of the caliber of Shakira, Madonna, or the K-pop group BTS are expected to participate, must be added the time needed to set up and dismantle everything necessary for the performances, which would extend the break to practically half an hour.
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This is not the first time FIFA has altered its own regulations for the same reasons. This year’s Club World Cup final, played between Chelsea and PSG, lasted 24 minutes with performances by Coldplay, J Balvin, Doja Cat, TEms, and Emmanuel Kelly. A match that took place in the same venue where Spain will play the final this Sunday, the MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, so FIFA already knows what a setup of this magnitude entails in this stadium.
The nuance in FIFA regulations that allows the exception
Although FIFA regulations state that “players shall be entitled to a halftime break not exceeding 15 minutes,” they also add that “other binding rules or decisions applicable to FIFA may apply to the regulations,” and that these “shall prevail over these regulations in case of conflict, and must be complied with by all parties participating and involved in the preparations, organization, and holding of the 2026 World Cup.”
It will be an unprecedented change in the history of the World Cups and once again opens controversy between the sporting and commercial sides, as happened with hydration breaks, after it was found that they responded more to economic interests to attract advertisers than to combat heat. Players and coaches are concerned that the break will be extended to twice the usual time, changing all planning and harming teams with football like Spain’s, which physically demands a lot from their rivals and now will have more time to recover. Although no one has yet raised their voice against FIFA, which remains silent without confirming the change.
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Concern about the condition of the pitch
Another aspect that worries a lot is the condition of the pitch, which will suffer not only from the halftime show but also from a closing spectacle 90 minutes before the match – which could also alter the teams’ warm-up. It is planned that music and film stars such as Laura Pausini, Tom Cruise, or Robbie Williams will participate. Additionally, singer Jennifer Hudson will perform the United States anthem.
Both this show and the halftime show will take place on a stage located in the middle of the playing field, which could affect the condition of a pitch that has already been the focus of many criticisms during the tournament. Its mix of natural and artificial grass convinces no one. “The pitch was in very bad condition; it heavily punished the players’ muscles,” denounced French coach Didier Deschamps during the group stage. And he was not the only one; Vinícius also showed his discomfort after debuting with Brazil in the tournament on this stage: “Due to the climate and heat, the pitch dries very quickly and the match ends up being very slow. We cannot find a good rhythm. That complicates everything and alters our game,” he concluded.
Criticism that has fallen on deaf ears, just like complaints about hydration breaks, and once again exposes FIFA.
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