FIFA Reportedly Wants 20-Minute World Cup Final Break for Halftime Show With Bieber, More

Don't be surprised if the halftime period of the 2026 World Cup final feels a little longer than usual.

The Athletic's Dan Sheldon and Adam Crafton reported that FIFA is setting a target of 20 minutes for the break in between the first and second halves of Sunday's final.

Fifteen minutes is the general standard for halftimes in world football.

FIFA is taking a page from the NFL's Super Bowl, however, and producing a halftime show that includes Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, BTS and others. The organization said the spectacle itself will last for 11 minutes, but that may not include the time required to put up and tear down the stage.

Sheldon and Crafton noted Shakira sang during halftime of the 2024 Copa América final, and play was stopped for 24 minutes. As another comparison, Super Bowl halftimes can go up to 30 minutes.

For fans already frustrated with the arrival of hydration breaks, extending halftime of the final is unlikely to be a welcome development.