Justin Bieber, Madonna and Shakira’s World Cup halftime show broke FIFA’s own promise

Argentina and Spain's players in the World Cup were forced to spend longer in the changing room at half-time after FIFA allegedly broke a promise to them over the duration.

Players and their representatives had expressed concern that the half-time show starring the likes of Justin Bieber and Madonna would last for 30 minutes, disrupting the flow of the game.

Following the worries, FIFA reached out to the Spanish and Argentinian football associations to reassure them ahead of the World Cup final.

They told the associations that the break would only be 17 minutes, just two minutes longer than a usual half-time break.

It was explained that the assembly and dismantling of the stage on the pitch would be allocated six minutes, while the star-studded show would be 11 minutes long.

However, when it came down to it, the whole half-time break actually went on for much longer.

Players and fans alike were confused and annoyed by the length of the half-time show which featured the likes of Madonna, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

From the half-time whistle, to the second half beginning, it lasted 27 minutes and 24 seconds.

This was far in excess of the maximum 15 minute time limit allowed under the International FA Board’s (IFAB) Laws of the Game.

Back in 2021, the governing body of football in South America, CONMEBOL, wanted to extend the maximum half-time length to 25 minutes.

However, their request was rejected by IFAB due to the ‘negative impact on player welfare and safety resulting from a longer period of inactivity’.

Concerns were raised in the wake of the Club World Cup final last year where the half-time show lasted 24 minutes.

That show featured Coldplay, J Balvin, Doja Cat, Tems and Emmanuel Kelly.

The World Cup half-time show was seemingly inspired by the performances seen at the Super Bowl.

Curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin, the show featured the likes of Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, Burna Boy and BTS.

Fans couldn't believe their eyes when footballing legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho appeared alongside Madonna.

Viewers were also unhappy.

"This is actually disgraceful I can't lie," fumed one on social media, as another added: "Horrendously long half time show that nobody cares to watch btw."

"I much preferred football when it was a game of two halves and half-time was barely long enough for the manager to swear at the players and throw teacups round the dressing room," joked one.

"I hope with this really long half time, there won’t be another hydration break…" added another, about another controversial element that has been introduced by the US hosts.

"This half time show is over the top and too long. When is the second half starting?!" said one critic.

In the COPA America Final in 2024, a show lasted 24 minutes, and Colombia head coach Nestor Lorenzo complained.

"There’s going to be a concert, we’ll be walking back out 20 to 25 minutes later. This could affect the players’ fitness, they could cool down too much. Those minutes of recovery in the dressing room… people don’t understand what it takes to reach those levels," he stressed.

It seems like a new trend that players will have to adapt to in future.