Half-time at the World Cup final lasted 27 minutes and 19 seconds after the ‘Super Bowl style’ show delayed the resumption of the match between Argentina and Spain.
Organisers Fifa had assured both teams before the final that the half-time show, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin and featuring Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Justin Bieber and Burna Boy, would only last 11 minutes, with the time needed to assemble and dismantle the stage at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey taking the total length of the expected break to around 20 minutes.
However, the delay to the World Cup final was actually much longer, which meant Fifa went even further in breaking their own rules. The half-time show also brought cameos from Brazil legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, Ted Lasso actor Jason Sudeikis, as well as Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. Appearing on the BBC, former England captain Wayne Rooney said it was “crap”.
In the laws of the game, governed by Ifab (the International Football Association Board), it states half-time breaks should “not exceed 15 minutes”. There were over 27 minutes between referee Slavko Vincic’s whistle at the end of the first half and the start of the second.
There was a precedent set from last year’s Club World Cup final between eventual winners Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, which was also organised by Fifa and held in the same venue in New Jersey. That show lasted 24 minutes, with Coldplay, J Balvin, Doja Cat, Tems and Emmanuel Kelly featuring.
Additionally, the 2024 Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia in Miami, organised by South American confederation Conmebol and featuring a performance from Shakira, lasted 25 minutes.
There were warnings that an extended World Cup half-time break could lead to an increased risk of injuries. Dr Liam Harper, a senior lecturer in physiology at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Institute of Sport, told the Press Association that reduction in muscle temperature “will be potentially more pronounced” due to an extended break.
The World Cup final also kicked off six minutes late, following performance by Robbie Williams, the singing of the national anthem by Jennifer Hudson, a bizarre pre-game speech by actor Tom Cruise, and a ‘let’s get ready to rumble’ build-up by ring announcers the Buffer brothers – Michael and Bruce.
