Spain’s 1-0 World Cup final victory over Argentina delivered an evening of football history, but FIFA’s first attempt at a Super Bowl-style halftime show proved just as difficult to ignore.
The interval at MetLife Stadium lasted approximately 27 minutes and 19 seconds, more than 12 minutes longer than the standard break in football.
FIFA had reportedly intended to keep the entire interval below 20 minutes. While the musical performance itself lasted just over 11 minutes, the time required to assemble and remove the stage delayed the start of the second half.
Interval goes beyond standard limit
The International Football Association Board’s Law 7 states that players are entitled to a halftime interval “not exceeding 15 minutes”, according to the official Laws of the Game.
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FIFA’s decision therefore represented a significant departure from the standard limit, although the organisers had planned the extended interval in advance and the two teams were aware of the arrangement.
“Half-time was 27min 18 secs – the maximum permitted under FIFA’s laws of the game is 15 mins,” The Times journalist Martyn Ziegler wrote on X.
Football writer Henry Winter recorded a slightly different time.
“27 minutes and 22.15 seconds for half-time,” he wrote. “And that, I’m guessing, is a new FIFA world record. Historic.”
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The interval was ultimately timed at 27 minutes and 19 seconds by other observers, as reported by The Independent.
Global stars take over the pitch
The performance was headlined by Madonna, Shakira, BTS and Justin Bieber. Burna Boy, Coldplay, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus and characters from The Muppets also appeared.
Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho did not perform but featured in the opening segment, driving Madonna onto the field before she began the show with “Music”.
The set also included BTS performing “Dynamite”, The Muppets performing “Seven Nation Army”, Bieber singing “Everything Hallelujah” and Shakira joining Burna Boy for the tournament anthem “Dai Dai”.
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The show had been curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and was connected to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, according to FIFA’s official announcement.
Rooney delivers brutal verdict
The production divided viewers, with critics questioning whether such an elaborate entertainment break belonged in the middle of football’s biggest match.
Former England captain Wayne Rooney offered the bluntest assessment during the BBC’s coverage.
“I like most of the artists who were on there, but I thought it was crap,” Rooney said, as quoted by People.
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The spectacle was also criticised for trying to squeeze too many performers and ideas into a short production. Time described it as a “bland, overstuffed circus” in its review of the show.
There had already been concerns that placing a stage and a large production crew on the playing surface could cause further damage to a pitch that had appeared dry during the first half. However, there is no firm evidence that the show materially worsened the surface.
Once the football resumed, Spain eventually broke Argentina’s resistance through Ferran Torres in the 106th minute. Yet after a 27-minute interruption filled with pop stars, puppets and celebrity cameos, FIFA ensured that the final was remembered for far more than the result.
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