FIFA is set to break its own Laws of the Game during Sunday's 2026 FIFA World Cup final after approving a half-time interval of up to 30 minutes to accommodate the tournament's first-ever halftime entertainment show.
Under the Laws of the Game, the half-time break must not exceed 15 minutes. By doubling the interval, football's world governing body will effectively set aside the very regulations it is tasked with enforcing during its flagship tournament.
This will not be the first time FIFA has done so. During the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup final in 2025 between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, the half-time break lasted about 25 minutes to allow for a special entertainment performance before the second half resumed.
The 2026 World Cup final is expected to pit Spain against either England or Argentina, with the two nations meeting in the second semi-final to decide the remaining finalist.
Adding to the spectacle, the final will feature the first halftime show in FIFA World Cup history.
