How long was half-time at World Cup final? FIFA backtrack on promise to Argentina and Spain

FIFA have backtracked on their promise to Spain and Argentina that the World Cup final half-time show would last only 17 minutes.

With the 2026 World Cup having taken place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, there were huge plans for the final showpiece at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

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FIFA ultimately decided to include a half-time show, unprecedented for football, but very much in line with that of the Super Bowl in the NFL.

Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and K-pop boyband BTS co-headlined the show that was orchestrated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

Even The Muppets’ main stars Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy played a role in a show which did not go down well with everyone.

But the event surpassed the 17-minute runtime that was promised by FIFA.

How long was half-time at World Cup final?

From the second the referee blew his whistle to signal the end of the first half to his whistle to begin the second half, the total time elapsed was 27 minutes and 24 seconds.

This is just another delay that has occurred at the final, with the closing ceremony in the build-up to the game between the reigning European champions and the reigning Copa America champions beginning later than scheduled.

This ultimately caused delays to kick-off until six minutes after the scheduled start time.

England icon Stuart Pearce had a withering reaction to what was on show alongside Adrian Durham on talkSPORT’s coverage of the final.

During Shakira’s performance, Durham explained: “Shakira, it’s her fourth World Cup.

“I was there for the first in 2006, she was sensational. She’s sensational again. Stuart Pearce, are you into this?”

In response, England legend Pearce said: “Is it really? That’s beautiful. She’s certainly entertaining the crowd here.”

When put to him that his stance may have been ‘harsh’ on the Colombian singer, he added: “I haven’t said anything harsh at all! I said it’s sensational, she’s entertaining the crowd. You’ve read into that, that I’m a gnarly old fox.”

Durham replied: “Your face does not say those words. They might have come out of your mouth, but your face is saying something completely different.”

He continued: “Are you suggesting a mixed message? I didn’t actually know who it was, to be fair.”

Pearce then revealed that he thought K-Pop sensations BTS were ‘BLT’.