World Cup 2026: The halftime show will not last as long as expected

Only a few hours remain before the

2026 World Cup

reaches its conclusion.

The final between Spain and Argentina will capture the attention of millions of fans around the world

, although the ball will not be the only star of the day. FIFA will use the break before the second half to create a special moment that could become one of the tournament’s most memorable highlights.

The final will introduce a new format

The 2026 World Cup will make history by featuring the first official halftime show organized by

FIFA in collaboration with Global Citizen

.

MetLife Stadium will witness this major change, as the traditional break between halves will become a global musical spectacle.

Chris Martin, Justin Bieber, Madonna, BTS, and Shakira

will be among the artists taking part in this first edition.

How long will the halftime show last?

Although recent reports suggested that the halftime show could last

30 minutes, with some rumors even pointing to a performance of up to 40 minutes

, the reality will be different.

The full halftime break of the

2026 World Cup final will last 17 minutes

, with only

11 minutes dedicated to the musical performance

Why is this considered the first official World Cup halftime show?

The question emerged among many fans after Maná performed during the break of the

Mexico vs. England match at Estadio Azteca

And while it was indeed a halftime show, that performance did not have the same status,

as it was part of a tribute to mark Mexico City’s farewell

as a host city of the tournament. The final’s presentation, meanwhile, was created as the first official FIFA halftime show in World Cup history.