For the first time in history, the halftime break of the World Cup final will not be just for going to the bathroom or buying a snack. FIFA has confirmed that the intermission of the decisive match will be extended to include a musical show with global artists such as Shakira, Madonna, and BTS. The idea is clear: to emulate the format that made the Super Bowl famous, even though football has its own rules and traditions.
The technical challenge of extending halftime without breaking the rhythm ⚙️
From a production standpoint, extending halftime to about 25-30 minutes involves coordinating stadium logistics with surgical precision. It will require a quick setup of modular stages, high-power sound systems, and LED screens that do not interfere with the grass. Players, accustomed to 15 minutes of recovery, will need to adapt their physical routine to avoid injuries from cooling down. FIFA is studying the use of portable heaters and stretching areas in the tunnels, something already being tested in other sports.
Players warm up while Shakira shakes her hips 🎤
While the artists risk it all on stage, the 22 players will be in the locker rooms doing stretching exercises and watching the show on a screen. Some defenders have already requested that no upbeat songs be played to avoid arriving agitated for the second half. And goalkeepers, who always have their own ritual, threaten to go out onto the field to ask for an encore if the show drags on too long. FIFA is already considering installing a minibar on the benches to calm things down.