FIFA is stretching the 2026 World Cup final halftime to somewhere between 20 and 25 minutes. The reason: a full-blown entertainment spectacle featuring the likes of Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Justin Bieber, Coldplay, and Burna Boy. It’s the first halftime show in World Cup history.
Breaking the 15-minute rule
The standard halftime in football has been capped at 15 minutes under the Laws of the Game, as governed by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). Any extension beyond that traditionally requires referee approval.
FIFA tried to change this back in 2021, proposing a formal increase to 25 minutes. IFAB rejected it, citing concerns about player welfare during longer breaks.
Now FIFA is effectively doing it anyway, at least for the final. The match is scheduled for July 19 at the New York/New Jersey Stadium, and the organization has carved out an 11-minute core performance window within that expanded interval. The remaining time covers stage setup, artist transitions, and other logistics. Some reports suggest the break could stretch to 30 minutes in practice, though FIFA hasn’t confirmed that figure.
