BBC and ITV to Screen Full World Cup Final Half-Time Show
Both BBC and ITV have decided to air Fifa’s half-time entertainment show in its entirety during Sunday’s World Cup final at the New York New Jersey Stadium — even though neither broadcaster has been told exactly how long the interval will last.
The Guardian reported that the UK rights holders are planning for a break of somewhere between 25 and 30 minutes, with the show itself expected to run for roughly 11 minutes. The rest of the time will be taken up by the logistical demands of building and dismantling a full stage on the pitch. Both channels concluded they would still have adequate time to analyse the first half alongside airing the full spectacle.
The show has been put together by Coldplay’s Chris Martin and is set to feature a headline lineup of Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and K-pop group BTS — a significant billing that reflects Fifa’s broader push to court American audiences throughout this tournament.
For a point of comparison, Fifa staged a half-time show at the Club World Cup final at the same venue last year, which produced a total break of 24 minutes. Because Sunday’s performance will be on the pitch rather than in the stands, the delay this time around is likely to be longer.
The extended interval raises a legal question. The laws of the game, overseen by the International Football Association Board (Ifab), state that the half-time break must not exceed 15 minutes without the referee’s permission. Fifa therefore appears to be in potential breach of those rules, though The Guardian noted that no pushback from Ifab has been reported.
Gianni Infantino, Fifa’s president, described the planned show as a “groundbreaking spectacle” that will “celebrate football, music and our shared values.”
Entertainment has been a running theme throughout the 2026 tournament. Pre-match concerts have preceded several opening fixtures, with Shakira and Burna Boy performing before Mexico’s win over South Africa in Mexico City, Alanis Morissette and Michael Bublé appearing ahead of Canada v Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, and Katy Perry headlining before the USA’s opener against Paraguay.
Before Sunday’s final itself, a closing ceremony is scheduled 90 minutes before kick-off, featuring Robbie Williams and Jennifer Hudson.
For UK bettors keeping a close eye on the showpiece, you can find all the latest odds and match analysis in our World Cup 2026 hub, along with the live standings from the tournament.