The recent World Cup final, contested between Argentina and Spain, experienced a half-time interval lasting an unprecedented 27 minutes and 19 seconds. This significant extension, attributed to an elaborate 'Super Bowl-style' entertainment spectacle, far surpassed the 15-minute limit stipulated by the International Football Association Board (Ifab), the body that governs the laws of the game. The extended break occurred at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, causing a notable delay in the resumption of play.
Organisers FIFA had reportedly assured both competing nations that the half-time show, curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin and featuring a star-studded line-up including Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Justin Bieber and Burna Boy, would only last 11 minutes. With the additional time needed for the assembly and dismantling of the stage, the total expected break was communicated as approximately 20 minutes. However, the actual duration exceeded this by over seven minutes, leading to questions about adherence to official regulations.
The entertainment segment also included cameo appearances from Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, actor Jason Sudeikis, and even Muppets characters Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. The spectacle drew criticism, with former England captain Wayne Rooney, speaking on the BBC, describing the half-time show as "crap."
This is not the first instance of extended half-time breaks in FIFA-organised events. A precedent was set at last year's Club World Cup final, also held at the MetLife Stadium, where the break between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain lasted 24 minutes. Similarly, the 2024 Copa America final in Miami, organised by South American confederation Conmebol, featured a performance from Shakira and saw a 25-minute interval.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the potential impact on player welfare. Dr Liam Harper, a senior lecturer in physiology at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Institute of Sport, warned the Press Association that a reduction in muscle temperature "will be potentially more pronounced” due to an extended break, increasing the risk of injuries. Furthermore, the World Cup final itself kicked off six minutes later than scheduled, following a pre-game show that included a performance by Robbie Williams, the national anthem sung by Jennifer Hudson, a speech by actor Tom Cruise, and a 'let’s get ready to rumble’ build-up from the Buffer brothers.