The World Cup final is only a matter of days away but a significant change to the showpiece’s schedule looks set to be made
The half-time interval for the World Cup final is now expected to be a whopping 30 minutes long. FIFA introduced a Super Bowl half-time show style event that will take place at the break of play.
The likes of Justin Bieber and Shakira are set to be among the names performing in the glitzy show. The BBC and ITV were initially not going to broadcast the show, instead choosing to focus on the highlights and analysis from the opening 45 minutes of the clash at the MetLife Stadium in New York.
However, it now appears it will be viewable for the public as a result of the break being extended. Considering FIFA have a track record of ignoring rules regarding the length of time between halves, the show is anticipated to take half an hour.
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In the Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, the half time interval was stretched to 25 minutes long. On numerous occasions, the governing body of world football has declined to clarify how long the break at this year’s World Cup final will be.
The International FA Board (IFAB), the law-making body of football, turned down a request from South American confederation CONMEBOL to extend the half-time break to 25 minutes, on the basis of “negative impact on player welfare and safety resulting from a longer period of inactivity”. This half time event looks certain to supersede the 15-minute limit dictated by the IFAB.
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This news has also not gone down well with many England supporters, who will be hoping the Three Lions overcome Argentina to reach their first final since 1966.
Three Lions superfan, Fil Sollof, 61, was furious with the news, telling Mirror Football: “Thirty minutes for half time is a joke. How can FIFA change the rules of the game just like that?
“It’s 15 minutes for half-time – it’s the same for all football games all over the world. I doubt people would mind if it happened to go a minute or two over. But this isn’t on. It’s a disgrace.”
A FIFA spokesman said: “Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS will co-headline the historic FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show. The performance will be curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay and broadcast live to millions of fans around the world.”
Thomas Tuchel’s side are currently preparing to face the defending champions in Atlanta. It will be the first World Cup meeting between the two nations since the 2002 World Cup.
As well as renewing a rivalry which has yielded moments like Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal and David Beckham’s petulant red card in 1998, it will also be the first time Lionel Messi has faced England in any capacity. The clash at the Atlanta Stadium kicks off at 8pm on Wednesday, July 15.
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