Overview
- FIFA staged the tournament’s first official halftime show on Sunday July 19, headlined by Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS with Chris Martin as curator and Gustavo Dudamel joining the program.
- Organizers say the on-field performance will run about 11 minutes and will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund’s $100 million goal to expand education and football access for children.
- Broadcasters and producers expect the full half-time interval, including standard studio analysis, to extend to roughly 20–25 minutes, which exceeds the typical 15-minute match break.
- Players and commentators have raised practical and welfare concerns about the longer pause and complex staging, and public reaction has been sharply divided with vocal critics including Craig Foster and Robert Smith.
- Commentators note the move signals a strategic shift to treat the final as a global entertainment property that aims to expand audiences and commercial revenue beyond the 90 minutes of play.