Media sources revealed Friday that the halftime break in the 2026 World Cup final between defending champion Argentina and Spain next Sunday will last more than 15 minutes due to necessary artistic work for a halftime entertainment show. The same sources indicated that setting up the stage for the 11-minute show is expected to take about seven minutes, although it remains unclear how long it will take to dismantle the equipment and clear the field before the start of the second half. The regulations of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and the Laws of the Game set by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) state that players are entitled to a halftime break not exceeding 15 minutes. However, the tournament's own regulations state that players are entitled to a 15-minute break between halves, without repeating the IFAB wording that the break cannot exceed that duration. FIFA did not respond to a request for clarification regarding the duration of the break or how the scheduled show would comply with the regulations. This is the first show organized during the halftime of a World Cup final, adding another new element associated with major sports events when held in the United States, which already include hydration breaks and, for the first time, awarding gold rings to the winners. New York New Jersey Stadium will host the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday evening between defending champion Argentina and Spain, which won its only title in 2010 in South Africa.