Why the World Cup half-time show may be a taste of things to come
The 2026 World Cup final will feature a 25-minute half-time show, a first for the tournament, with performances by Madonna, Shakira, BTS, and Justin Bieber. This extended break, exceeding the International Football Association Board's 15-minute maximum, has sparked debate about the integration of music into major sporting events.

Briefing Summary
AI-generatedThe 2026 World Cup final will feature a 25-minute half-time show, a first for the tournament, with performances by Madonna, Shakira, BTS, and Justin Bieber. This extended break, exceeding the International Football Association Board's 15-minute maximum, has sparked debate about the integration of music into major sporting events. FIFA describes the show as a "landmark celebration at the intersection of sport, music and global impact." This precedent follows a similar 24-minute half-time musical performance at last year's Club World Cup final, also held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, raising questions about whether such spectacles will become common in future tournaments and fan reception.
Article analysis
Model · rule-basedKey claims
5 extractedLast year's Club World Cup final also had a half-time show with live music.
Fifa described the event as a 'landmark celebration at the intersection of sport, music and global impact'.
The performance means the break will last up to 25 minutes, exceeding the International Football Association Board's maximum 15-minute stoppage.
The World Cup half-time show will feature performances from Madonna, Shakira, BTS, and Justin Bieber.
For the first time in the tournament's history, there will be a half-time show at the World Cup final.