Jul 18(V7N)- FIFA has ended speculation over the halftime duration of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, confirming that the break will last 17 minutes, just two minutes longer than the traditional 15-minute interval.
The World Cup final will be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday (July 19). FIFA has already officially informed both the Spanish Football Federation and the Argentine Football Association about the halftime schedule.
According to FIFA, the 17-minute interval will include an 11-minute musical performance featuring internationally renowned artists Shakira, Madonna, and Justin Bieber.
The remaining six minutes will be used for the rapid setup and dismantling of the stage, while ground staff will also water the pitch to maintain the quality of the playing surface.
The condition of the grass at MetLife Stadium has been a topic of discussion throughout the tournament, with several teams—including Spain—raising concerns that the surface has been relatively dry and slower than expected.
Earlier, several international media outlets had reported that the halftime break could exceed 25 minutes because of the planned entertainment show. However, FIFA has dismissed those reports, confirming that the entire halftime program will be completed within the scheduled 17 minutes.
FIFA also confirmed that there will be no changes to the hydration-break protocol during the match. As in previous World Cup fixtures played under high temperatures in the United States, two hydration breaks in each half will remain in effect for the final.
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