The halftime interval in Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina is set to last longer than the standard 15 minutes to accommodate the tournament’s first ever halftime entertainment show, broadcasting sources have told Reuters.
The installation of the stage for the 11-minute performance is expected to take around seven minutes, according to the sources, with one adding it would probably take as long again to dismantle the equipment and clear the pitch before the second half could begin. That would place the total break at well over 15 minutes, raising questions about compliance with the Laws of the Game as set by the International Football Association Board, which state that players are entitled to a halftime interval “not exceeding 15 minutes”.
FIFA’s own World Cup tournament regulations take a slightly different approach, stating that players are entitled to a “15-minute interval” at halftime but omitting the IFAB’s explicit wording that the break cannot exceed that duration. FIFA did not respond to a request for clarification on how long the interval would last or how the planned show would comply with the regulations.
The performance will mark the first halftime show ever staged at a World Cup final, adding another element associated with major American sporting events to a tournament that has already featured mandatory hydration breaks and, for the first time, championship rings for the winners in the style of American professional sports leagues.
The final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 17 July will pit European champions Spain against defending World Cup holders Argentina in what promises to be one of the most eagerly anticipated matches in the tournament’s history.
