World Cup Final Half-Time Show Will Be Twice as Long as Usual

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-07-15

FIFA is about to do something it's never done before for a World Cup final: stretch the half-time break well past the usual limit. We're looking at a 20 to 25 minute pause between halves on Sunday, all to fit in a massive entertainment lineup. That's nearly double the standard 15-minute break you'd normally see. An 11-minute show is planned for the interval at New York New Jersey Stadium. Headliners include Madonna, Shakira, and K-pop group BTS. Justin Bieber joined the lineup last week alongside Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin curated the entire performance. ### Rules Only Allow 15 Minutes, But FIFA Has Bent Them Before Football's official laws, set by the International Football Association Board, say the half-time break can't go longer than 15 minutes. FIFA sources suggest organizers might keep the interval near 20 minutes. One option being discussed pairs a standard 15-minute break with the 11-minute performance tacked on afterward, making it a 26-minute total pause. This wouldn't be the first time FIFA pushed past the limit. Last year's Club World Cup final, also held in New Jersey, had a 24-minute half-time break. That show featured performances from Coldplay, J Balvin, Doja Cat, Tems, and Emmanuel Kelly. So they've clearly done this before. The approach mirrors what the Super Bowl has done for decades. That event typically runs a 12 to 15-minute halftime show, with past headliners including Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga. FIFA's push toward longer entertainment breaks signals a shift toward treating the World Cup final more like an American-style spectacle. ### Closing Ceremony and Kickoff Details Confirmed Beyond the half-time show, FIFA has confirmed a closing ceremony for the tournament. It starts at 1:30 PM local time, 90 minutes before kickoff. Tom Cruise, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and IShowSpeed will perform as part of the ceremony. Jennifer Hudson will sing the United States national anthem. The final itself kicks off at 3:00 PM local time. Reaction to the extended entertainment has been mixed among fans. Some have criticized FIFA for leaning too heavily into American sporting traditions, while others have welcomed the lineup and called it a fitting way to close out the tournament. > "This is a massive shift for football, but honestly, who doesn't want to see Madonna and BTS at the same event?" - One fan on social media ### Spain Secures Their Place, Opponent Still Undecided Spain has already booked their spot in the final. They beat France 2-0 in the first semi-final, played in Dallas. Their opponent will be decided in the second semi-final between England and Argentina, played in Atlanta. The winner of that match will face Spain on Sunday. The half-time entertainment is now shaping up to be one of the most talked-about elements of the closing stages of the tournament. FIFA hasn't issued a final, official confirmation on the exact length of the break yet, though all signals point toward an interval well beyond the standard 15 minutes. Broadcasters have already adjusted their coverage plans around the extended break. Build-up, half-time analysis, and post-match reaction are all factored into schedules across networks carrying the final. For more FIFA World Cup news and updates, visit JeetWin Blog. This extended half-time show is a big deal for football purists, but it's also a sign of how the sport is evolving. The World Cup is becoming more of a global entertainment event, and this lineup proves it.