For the first time ever, the World Cup final will get an NFL-style halftime show, added to a star-studded opening ceremony 90 minutes before Argentina and Spain kick off the championship match.

While the lineup is impressive, the halftime is likely to prove controversial: it is expected to last 20 to 30 minutes, double the time of a typical football halftime.

Long breaks are uncommon in football, so players and coaches will have to adjust their usual routines before returning for the second half.

Unlike the halftime show at last year’s Club World Cup final, which took place on a stage built high on the stadium stands, the World Cup final performance will be held on the pitch. Organizers will have to build and remove the stage quickly to avoid delaying the start of the second half.

This won’t be the first extended half-time break in football. During the 2024 Copa America final, Shakira performed at Hard Rock Stadium during a 26-minute stoppage.

Opening ceremony

The event will take place at the New York (a.k.a. MetLife) stadium in New Jersey, beginning at 2:30 p.m. (Argentine time), with performances by Tom Cruise, Robbie Williams, Italian singer Laura Pausini, and former Pussycat Dolls singer and Broadway star Nicole Scherzinger.

Famous online streamer IShowSpeed has also confirmed his presence — and will very likely get booed by Argentine fans due to his viral criticism of the team led by Lionel Messi.

Before kick-off, EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson will sing the U.S. national anthem. It is still not clear who will sing the Argentine anthem, but viral rumors point to multiplatnum star María Becerra.

Halftime show

The very first 30-minute Super Bowl-style halftime show will start at roughly 4:45 p.m. (Argentine time). FIFA President Infantino described it as “a celebration of football, unity and shared humanity that will resonate far beyond the final whistle.”

The show’s lineup includes Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and K-pop phenomenon BTS. Curated by Coldplay singer Chris Martin, the event will also feature Burna Boy, maestro Gustavo Dudamel conducting a combined symphony orchestra, the NYC PS22 Chorus, Ugandan dance group Ghetto Kids, and characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets.

The show will also act as a fundraiser, with the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund aiming to raise US$100 million for children’s education worldwide. All performers have waived their fees.