The stage is set for a World Cup final unlike any other, with FIFA reportedly pushing for a halftime show that could stretch the break to a full 20 minutes. While the beautiful game's governing body hasn't officially confirmed the length, sources indicate that Sunday's championship match at MetLife Stadium will feature a musical extravaganza that tests the traditional limits of the intermission.
According to reports from The Athletic's Dan Sheldon and Adam Crafton, FIFA is hoping to keep the halftime interval to no more than 20 minutes. That's a significant bump from the standard 15-minute break outlined in the International Football Association Board rules, which state that halftime "may be altered only with the referee's permission."
The show itself, curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, is slated to run just 11 minutes, but the full break includes time for setting up and tearing down the stage. The lineup reads like a who's who of global music: Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus are all scheduled to perform in front of a worldwide audience.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has framed the halftime concert as more than just entertainment. "As the world comes together for the biggest match in football on 19 July 2026 in New York New Jersey, this historic show will also shine a light on a greater purpose by supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund," Infantino said in a statement earlier this year. The fund aims to raise $100 million to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children globally.
This isn't the Super Bowl, where halftime shows routinely run 20 to 30 minutes. But FIFA is clearly borrowing from that playbook, hoping to create a spectacle that rivals the biggest event in American sports. However, the longer break could ruffle some feathers among traditionalists who argue that the game should remain the focus.
Interestingly, not all viewers will get to see the show. The BBC has reportedly decided not to air the halftime performance, instead prioritizing game analysis. That decision leaves international fans with a choice: stick with the match coverage or find an alternative feed to catch the musical acts.
On the pitch, Spain secured their spot in the final with a convincing 2-0 win over France on Tuesday. They'll face the winner of Wednesday's semifinal between England and Argentina at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The final kicks off Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on Fox.
The decision to extend halftime has also drawn comparisons to the recent controversy at the World Cup semifinal, where Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was booed at his own stadium. Meanwhile, former England captain John Terry has been vocal about his team's chances against Argentina, adding to the drama surrounding the tournament.
As the world waits for the final whistle, all eyes will be on MetLife Stadium to see if FIFA can pull off the biggest halftime show in soccer history—and whether the refs will give the green light to a longer break.
