If it’s done within the 15 minutes then I’ve no issue with it. Our beloved crossbar challenge is half time entertainment after all.
However, if they shift the time from 15 minutes to anything else purely for the sake of ‘half time ratings’ then I’m absolutely against it.
They probably want to charge Super Bowl type prices for the Final, and this will all be part of the justification.
Lets face it most of the people at a world cup final won't be normal everyday football fans, so those there will probably lap it up. As you say anything beyond 15 minutes and its no longer about football
Cannot see them extending the 15 minute break. Football is too high intensity for athletes to just stop for half an hour or whatever and then be expected to go back out and play. I know FIFA are a joke (money money money) but this is about player welfare.
If it’s done within the 15 minutes then I’ve no issue with it. Our beloved crossbar challenge is half time entertainment after all.
However, if they shift the time from 15 minutes to anything else purely for the sake of ‘half time ratings’ then I’m absolutely against it.
They probably want to charge Super Bowl type prices for the Final, and this will all be part of the justification.
If they want it to be fitting of a World Cup final then they’ll have to extend it to 30 ish mins as they do for the Super Bowl. Can’t see any alternative and I’m against it for that reason.
They did this nonsense at the Copa America final and half time was extended to 25 minutes so I’d expect the same here sadly. So much construction and prep needed before the performance actually starts so impossible to do it inside 15 I reckon.
Interesting discussion at the end of Wednesdays Guardian Football Weekly about potential fan issues off the back of the US Tariff hikes and how US immigration rules might stop fans from being able to travel, worth 10 minutes of your time
Cannot see them extending the 15 minute break. Football is too high intensity for athletes to just stop for half an hour or whatever and then be expected to go back out and play. I know FIFA are a joke (money money money) but this is about player welfare.
When have FIFA been concerned about player welfare
Cannot see them extending the 15 minute break. Football is too high intensity for athletes to just stop for half an hour or whatever and then be expected to go back out and play. I know FIFA are a joke (money money money) but this is about player welfare.
Since when did FIFA care about the players?
Personally i can't see how it could fit within 15 minutes, as you'd assume whoever the artist performing is will need some kind of stage set up for them. And then to make it worth their while and the people watching they'd probably have to do at least 10-15 minutes, then time for the stage to be dismantled/removed.
You'd be looking at that being at least 25 minutes i think.
I suspect the 'half time' positioning of these types of things is to ensure the 100 million+ viewers in the States don't change the channel when there is a break in the match. Its also when the TV companies can justify their highest prices for advertising as people have already sat down to watch.
During the last World Cup one of the theories doing the rounds was that the longer than usual amounts of injury time was being actively encouraged to ensure more television time.
Its also yet another reason why we have 48 teams in 2026 - more games, more advertising, more revenue.
If people thought 48 teams was too many (which i think it is) then wait until you hear their idea for 2030.
"Fifa is to consider a proposal to expand the 2030 men's World Cup finals to 64 teams, an adjustment that would mean more than a quarter of its 211 member associations would take part. The idea was raised at a meeting of the Fifa council on Wednesday as part of any other business".
Apparently suggested as a 'special one off' because it's the 100 year anniversary of the world cup.
I suspect the 'half time' positioning of these types of things is to ensure the 100 million+ viewers in the States don't change the channel when there is a break in the match. Its also when the TV companies can justify their highest prices for advertising as people have already sat down to watch.
Whilst meanwhile millions of other people in the world do the opposite.
If people thought 48 teams was too many (which i think it is) then wait until you hear their idea for 2030.
"Fifa is to consider a proposal to expand the 2030 men's World Cup finals to 64 teams, an adjustment that would mean more than a quarter of its 211 member associations would take part. The idea was raised at a meeting of the Fifa council on Wednesday as part of any other business".
Apparently suggested as a 'special one off' because it's the 100 year anniversary of the world cup.
I hope Ukraine qualify and Russia (if they’re still allowed to compete) don’t. For me the ideal semi finalists would be Canada, Mexico, Ukraine and the Republic of Ireland. With Ukraine as winners.
I hope Ukraine qualify and Russia (if they’re still allowed to compete) don’t. For me the ideal semi finalists would be Canada, Mexico, Ukraine and the Republic of Ireland. With Ukraine as winners.
I hope Ukraine qualify and Russia (if they’re still allowed to compete) don’t. For me the ideal semi finalists would be Canada, Mexico, Ukraine and the Republic of Ireland. With Ukraine as winners.
Having just (rather sadly) googled it, New Caledonia's captain and record cap holder plays in the 5th tier in France. I don't think they'll be qualifying.
Having just (rather sadly) googled it, New Caledonia's captain and record cap holder plays in the 5th tier in France. I don't think they'll be qualifying.
Bit ominous as well, given that they're ranked a few places lower than Fiji, drew with them 1-1 in the last round.
But Fiji have just been spanked 7-0 by New Zealand
Comments
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cge1q41np7go
Personally i can't see how it could fit within 15 minutes, as you'd assume whoever the artist performing is will need some kind of stage set up for them. And then to make it worth their while and the people watching they'd probably have to do at least 10-15 minutes, then time for the stage to be dismantled/removed.
You'd be looking at that being at least 25 minutes i think.
During the last World Cup one of the theories doing the rounds was that the longer than usual amounts of injury time was being actively encouraged to ensure more television time.
Its also yet another reason why we have 48 teams in 2026 - more games, more advertising, more revenue.
"Fifa is to consider a proposal to expand the 2030 men's World Cup finals to 64 teams, an adjustment that would mean more than a quarter of its 211 member associations would take part. The idea was raised at a meeting of the Fifa council on Wednesday as part of any other business".
Apparently suggested as a 'special one off' because it's the 100 year anniversary of the world cup.
Whilst meanwhile millions of other people in the world do the opposite.
Nah - three time outs each half, yellow penalty flags, and changing the description 'dangerous foul play' to 'unnecessary roughness'.
For me the ideal semi finalists would be Canada, Mexico, Ukraine and the Republic of Ireland.
With Ukraine as winners.
They'll just go into the Inter-Continental Play-Offs where they'll stand a chance of qualifying being knocked out again
But Fiji have just been spanked 7-0 by New Zealand