FIFA’s plans to host a 30 minute halftime show featuring some of the world’s most recognisable artists is in breach of the game’s half time rules, but the organisation has found a loophole around it
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final half-time show on 19 July may be in breach of the International Football Association Board’s (IFAB) rules.
For the first time in World Cup history, a half-time show is expected to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, featuring Justin Bieber, Madonna and Shakira.
However, similar to the half-time shows held annually for the Super Bowl, the World Cup half-time show is expected to run for 30 minutes, 15 minutes longer than what is originally allowed for half-time in football matches.
It is here where FIFA may be breaking IFAB rules. Under Rule 7.2, IFAB states: “Players are entitled to an interval at half-time, not exceeding 15 minutes; a short drinks break (which should not exceed one minute) is permitted at the interval of half-time in extra time.
“Competition rules must state the duration of the half-time interval and it may be altered only with the referee’s permission.”
FIFA has already bypassed IFAB’s rules at last year’s 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.
The final, also held at MetLife Stadium, held a half-time show for 24 minutes and was never officially permitted by IFAB, and the regulatory body even rejected the proposal. This was in defence of player welfare as an extended period of time off the pitch makes players more susceptible to injury when muscles have longer to cool down.
The ‘loophole’ which FIFA gets around
Despite IFAB’s rejection of half time show performances in the past, FIFA have found a way around the rules in order to stage the event.
As Rule 7.2 explicitly states that “competition rules must state the duration of the half-time interval and it may be altered only with the referee’s permission”, the final must have the approval from the referee for half time to be extended.
As FIFA had already drawn up plans for the Club World Cup final to be mandated and official before it announced the referee, Alireza Faghani, for the game, Faghani would have had to agree to authorise the extended 24 minute half time show.
The same process may be applicable to Sunday’s World Cup final half time performance. As FIFA has already worked with events partner Global Citizen for the Club World Cup final, it will be working with one another again, as well as producers Live Nation and Done + Dusted, for the World Cup final half time show.
FIFA announced the full list of referees officiating the 2026 World Cup on 9 April, 2026. On 13 May, 2026, Madonna, Shakira and BTS were announced as the co-headlines for the half time show.
Closing ceremony adds to World Cup final spectacle
FIFA will be staging a closing ceremony for the 2026 World Cup too, which, unlike the half time show, has been a regular feature for the sport’s most-watched game.
This year’s closing ceremony will feature performances by Nicola Scherzinger and Robbie Williams, as well as Italian singer Laura Pausini and internet streamer iShowSpeed.
The closing ceremony will take place 90 minutes before kick-off at 3pm local time. Grammy award winning artist Jennifer Hudson will also sing the US national anthem before kick-off.
Heimo Schirgi, Chief Operating Officer for the FIFA World Cup 2026, said: “Echoing the spirit of the opening ceremonies, which welcomed the world to the greatest stage in Canada, Mexico and the US, the closing ceremony will bring the FIFA World Cup 2026 full circle through music, culture and football, before we kick off the highly anticipated match that will crown the champions of this groundbreaking tournament.”
