UK broadcasters make change to World Cup final half-time coverage

The World Cup final half-time show will last 17 minutes, FIFA has reportedly told Spain and Argentina.

There were fears the Super Bowl-style event, unprecedented for a World Cup final, could run for half an hour.

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Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber and K-pop boyband BTS will co-headline the show put together by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

The closing ceremony took place in the build-up, which caused delays to kick-off until six minutes after the scheduled start time.

Tom Cruise, Robbie Williams and influencer IShowSpeed were among the big names on the bill as the curtain comes down on the biggest-ever World Cup.

After the World Cup final half-time show was announced, it was previously reported that both BBC and ITV would provide analysis instead of screening the live entertainment.

However, it has now been confirmed that both UK broadcasters will screen the acts on show – with the Beeb flitting between their pundits, and ITV fitting it around its advertising breaks.

After England sealed third place by winning a 10-goal thriller against France on Saturday, the 23rd World Cup final takes place at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Holders Argentina are looking to become the first country to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.

But standing in Lionel Messi and co’s way are reigning European champions Spain, aiming to win their second World Cup.

Earlier reports had suggested half-time could be massively extended for the final.

However, reports in Spanish newspaper Marca suggested it will not be as long as first feared.

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World Cup half-time show

Reports say the half-time show will be 17 minutes long, which includes six minutes to assemble and dismantle the stage.

This brings the interval almost in line with the standard 15-minute break – the maximum half-time length allowed by the game’s lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

While both sets of players will no doubt welcome the news, it wouldn’t have been the first time Argentina had been subjected to extended half-time festivities.

The 2024 Copa America final between the Albiceleste and Colombia in Miami featured a half-time show lasting around 25 minutes.

Ahead of that game, which Argentina won 1-0 in extra time, Colombia boss Nestor Lorenzo said: “I think the half-time for the final should be 15 minutes because those are the rules.

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“But now apparently, because there’s going to be a concert, we’ll be walking back out 20 to 25 minutes later.

“This could affect the players’ fitness; they could cool down too much.

“Those minutes of recovery in the dressing room… people don’t understand what it takes to reach those levels.”