Sunday's World Cup final is set to feature one of the longest half-time intervals in the history of major football, with the break expected to last anywhere between 20 and 25 minutes at New York New Jersey Stadium.

FIFA are planning an 11-minute entertainment show during the interval, co-headlined by Madonna, Shakira and K-pop group BTS. The bill also includes Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus, with Coldplay's Chris Martin having curated the performance. Justin Bieber was confirmed as an addition to the line-up last week.

How the interval will work

Sources within FIFA suggest the break will run to around 20 minutes in total, though one option under consideration is to allow players the standard 15-minute interval before the 11-minute show begins — which would push the total beyond that figure. Either way, the half-time period will comfortably exceed the 15-minute maximum permitted under the laws of the game, as set out by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

This is not entirely new territory for FIFA. Last year's Club World Cup final, also staged in New Jersey, ran to a 24-minute interval due to a performance featuring Coldplay, J Balvin, Doja Cat, Tems and Emmanuel Kelly. Sunday's show is a significantly bigger production, and the organisers appear willing to push the boundaries of football's rulebook once again to accommodate it.

A finals day to remember — on and off the pitch

The football itself promises to be equally spectacular. Spain booked their place in the final by defeating France 2-0 in Dallas on Tuesday. Their opponents will be either England or Argentina, who meet in Atlanta on Wednesday evening (20:00 BST).

The final will kick off at 15:00 local time, which translates to 20:00 BST for viewers in the UK. Before a ball is even kicked, a closing ceremony is scheduled to begin at 13:30 local time (18:30 BST), with Tom Cruise, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and internet personality IShowSpeed all set to feature. Jennifer Hudson will sing the United States national anthem.

Football purists versus the spectacle

The extended interval will inevitably prompt debate. Traditionalists are likely to raise an eyebrow at a 25-minute break in the showpiece match of the men's game, particularly given that IFAB's own laws cap the half-time rest period at 15 minutes. Momentum and rhythm matter in football, and players returning to the pitch after nearly half an hour of standing around in a dressing room is not quite the same proposition as the standard interval.

Yet FIFA have clearly taken the view that the World Cup final is as much a global event as a football match, and the scale of the entertainment on offer reflects that. The market appears to agree — interest in Sunday's final is enormous regardless of which side England face, and the pre-match and half-time shows will draw in audiences well beyond those who follow the sport week to week.

Whether the football itself lives up to the surrounding spectacle remains to be seen. Spain, in particular, have been the team of the tournament so far, but England and Argentina are more than capable of producing a final worthy of the occasion. UK fans will just need to be patient when the whistle goes for half-time.

Frequently asked

What time is the World Cup final on UK TV?
The World Cup final kicks off at 20:00 BST on Sunday. A closing ceremony is scheduled to begin at 18:30 BST before the match.
How long is half-time in the World Cup final?
The half-time break is expected to last between 20 and 25 minutes, significantly longer than the standard 15-minute interval, due to an 11-minute entertainment show featuring artists including Madonna, Shakira and BTS.
Who is performing at the World Cup final half-time show?
The half-time show is co-headlined by Madonna, Shakira and BTS. The bill also includes Justin Bieber, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus, with Chris Martin of Coldplay having curated the event.