FIFA has been accused of breaking football's laws by approving a 30-minute half-time interval for the 2026 World Cup final, featuring a Super Bowl-style show with Justin Bieber and Madonna. The decision has sparked fury among fans and pundits, who argue it prioritises entertainment over the sport.
Extended Half-Time Breach of IFAB Rules
Under Law 7 of the IFAB Laws of the Game, the half-time break must not exceed 15 minutes. However, FIFA officials have found loopholes, having previously overseen a 25-minute break at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final. That extended interval allowed performances by J Balvin, Doja Cat, and Tems at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the same venue for Monday's final. The IFAB had rejected a similar request from CONMEBOL in 2021, citing a “negative impact on player welfare and safety resulting from a longer period of inactivity”.
Star-Studded Pre-Game and Half-Time Shows
The final will feature a pre-game show dubbed the “closing ceremony”, including Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, IShowSpeed, and a special appearance by Tom Cruise. The half-time show will be headlined by Justin Bieber and Madonna, with Shakira also set to perform. The BBC and ITV initially planned not to broadcast the half-time show, focusing instead on match analysis. For commercial networks, the 11-minute spectacle will create challenges for ad breaks.
Controversy Over National Anthem
The pre-game show will include Jennifer Hudson singing the US national anthem, a break with tradition as the host nation's anthem is not usually played before the World Cup final. FIFA Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi said the closing ceremony celebrates “the journey of all 48 teams” and brings the tournament “full circle through music, culture and football”.
Backlash from Pundits and Fans
The Telegraph wrote: “FIFA appears to be on a mission to Americanise football into soccer. The headliners are, and always should be, out on the pitch... The rest is greed with football in danger of eating itself.” Football journalist Seb Stafford-Bloor called the 30-minute show “nonsense for all sorts of conditioning and legislative reasons”, adding it is “yet another instance of the football coming second”. Former Southampton owner and MP Rupert Lowe described it as “a FIFA-enforced thirty minute half-time... a truly an abomination”. Fans on social media reacted strongly, with one saying: “FIFA forgot that this is football not a concert.” Another added: “FIFA gonna make it Celebrities with a side of Soccer game.” A third commented: “I feel sick, at least we know that we won't see World Cup hosted in US for a long time.”
