Unusually long break in World Cup final: 'Hopeless,' says sports physiologist

The upcoming 2026 World Cup final is set to feature a halftime break of unprecedented length, reportedly lasting around 30 minutes and including a major entertainment show. This extended interval, which will feature performances from artists like Madonna, Shakira, and Justin Bieber, significantly deviates from the standard 15-minute halftime stipulated by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and FIFA's own rules for the tournament.

While FIFA has repeatedly declined to comment on the exact duration, sources suggest the aim is a 20-minute show and break. This still surpasses the 15-minute limit, a rule established to protect player welfare. The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) had previously proposed extending the maximum break to 25 minutes, but IFAB rejected it, citing concerns about the negative impact of prolonged inactivity on players' well-being and safety.

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I think it's hopeless. It develops the sport into something very far from what we know, with both the watering breaks and this.

Sports physiologists have voiced strong criticism of the extended break. Torstein Dalen-Lorentsen, who has consulted for the Norwegian Football Federation, calls the situation "hopeless." He argues that even a 15-minute break requires players to re-warm up, and a 25-30 minute interval necessitates a more rigorous re-acclimatization process. Dalen-Lorentsen suggests a structured approach, including a period of light activity before a more intense warm-up in the locker room, to mitigate the negative effects of such a long pause. He believes most people, apart from those profiting from the show, agree that such an extended break is undesirable for the sport.

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Most people, apart from those who want to profit from it, agree that one does not want such a break.