For the first time ever, the World Cup final will get an NFL-style halftime show, added to a star-studded opening ceremony 90 minutes before Argentina and Spain kick off the championship match.
While the lineup is impressive, the halftime is likely to prove controversial: it is expected to last 20 to 30 minutes, double the time of a typical football halftime.
Long breaks are uncommon in football, so players and coaches will have to adjust their usual routines before returning for the second half.
Unlike the halftime show at last year’s Club World Cup final, which took place on a stage built high on the stadium stands, the World Cup final performance will be held on the pitch. Organizers will have to build and remove the stage quickly to avoid delaying the start of the second half.
This won’t be the first extended half-time break in football. During the 2024 Copa America final, Shakira performed at Hard Rock Stadium during a 26-minute stoppage.
