FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The World Cup final is set to feature a controversial innovation. The big match, to be played on Sunday at New York's MetLife Stadium between Spain and the winner of the England-Argentina duel, could feature a much longer half-time break than the one provided for in the regulations.
According to the Laws of the Game, players are entitled to a maximum break of 15 minutes, but FIFA plans for the World Cup final to last between 25 and 30 minutes due to the spectacle organized between halves.
The regulation is clear on this point:
" Footballers are entitled to a break between two halves of play, which must not be longer than 15 minutes. The duration of the break may only be changed with the consent of the referee ."
During the break of the final, a major artistic show will take place, curated by Chris Martin of the band Coldplay. The program includes famous names in world music such as Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS, Madonna, Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 choir, while the Muppet characters will also be part of the spectacle.
FIFA has described the performance as a historic celebration that unites sport, music and global culture. The concert alone is expected to last around 11 minutes, with the rest of the time needed for the assembly and dismantling of the stage in the middle of the pitch.
This aspect makes it difficult to meet FIFA's initial target of limiting the break to around 20 minutes. For this reason, British media reports that the actual break could be up to half an hour.
According to The Times, British broadcasters BBC and ITV expect the break to last around 30 minutes. This would allow them to broadcast the full spectacle, as well as the traditional analysis of the first half with the panel of commentators, while final confirmation from FIFA is still awaited.
The decision has also sparked discussions about the impact it could have on the players. Such a long interruption could slow down the pace of the match and affect the physical condition of the players, who risk losing their intensity before the start of the second half.
Furthermore, mandatory hydration breaks have been implemented during each half of this World Cup. If these breaks are added to the final, the total match time could easily exceed two hours, while in the event of extra time and penalties, the challenge could last nearly three hours.
Thus, the 2026 World Cup final is expected to be not only a duel for the most important trophy in football, but also a giant entertainment spectacle, raising the question of whether football is increasingly giving way to showmanship and commercial interests.
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