World Cup final halftime stretched past 20 minutes for star show
What's new: The break for Spain vs. Argentina was expected to top football's usual 15-minute limit as crews built and cleared a stage.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina in New York New Jersey Stadium featured an extended halftime built around a Super Bowl-style music show. The interval was expected to run beyond 20 minutes, and possibly past 25, well above the 15-minute break normally set out in the Laws of the Game. The show included Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS, with Chris Martin curating the performance. Jennifer Hudson sang the US national anthem, while Tom Cruise and other celebrities appeared in the closing ceremony before kickoff. Reports also pointed to ticketing glitches that delayed some fans entering the stadium.