[Saba Sports News] British media outlets report that the halftime interval for the World Cup final is expected to last roughly 30 minutes to make room for a halftime show — a duration exceeding the 15-minute maximum set out in the Laws of the Game. Madonna Ciccone, Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, alongside the PS22 Chorus performing with Coldplay, are all set to take the stage for this Super Bowl-style halftime spectacle. FIFA has previously flouted the 15-minute halftime limit; last year’s Club World Cup final saw the break extended to 25 minutes. While FIFA has repeatedly declined to confirm the projected total halftime length for the World Cup final, broadcasters anticipate it will stand at around 30 minutes.
The editor believes that ITV and BBC, the two UK broadcasters simulcasting the final, initially feared that full coverage of the halftime show would eat into the time allocated for their expert pundit panel to break down the first-half action. Both networks are still waiting for FIFA’s official confirmation on the exact halftime duration, yet they now believe they can secure at least the standard 15 minutes of analytical discussion, alongside 11 minutes of live halftime show coverage.