Fans attending the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey expressed frustration over the length of the half-time show, which extended the break beyond the usual 15 minutes. The performance, curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin, featured Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and K-pop band BTS, among others.
Extended Break Sparks Backlash
FIFA planned an 11-minute show with additional time for setup and teardown, aiming for a total break of 17 minutes. However, the governing body had previously declined to specify the exact duration, leading to speculation and criticism. One fan called it "disgraceful," while another urged FIFA to "do better." A third fan lamented the departure from traditional half-time brevity.
Broadcast Adjustments
Initially, the BBC and ITV planned to skip the show and focus on match highlights and analysis. But with the extended break, they incorporated coverage of the on-pitch performance. The delay forced players like Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal into an unusually long intermission.
This incident follows a similar extended break at the 2025 Club World Cup final, where the interval between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain stretched to 25 minutes, drawing further criticism from fans and pundits.
