Fifa has been defended for extending the half-time interval of the World Cup final to accommodate a special performance, with a leading global events executive saying it would have been “wasting the moment” had the organisation not done so.

The football body has confirmed that an 11-minute performance featuring international stars such as Madonna, Shakira, and Justin Bieber will be staged at the MetLife Stadium.

However, reports indicate that the show will cause the interval between the first and second halves to go well beyond the 15 minutes permitted under the official rules of the game.

Although some critics have questioned the decision, Michael Gietzen, Chief Executive Officer of Identity, argued that Fifa’s move was justified. He said, “Fifa is right to extend half-time, and those complaining are missing the point.”

He continued, “Football has its rhythm and rules, which of course are important. But a World Cup final isn’t like any ordinary match.”

“It happens once every four years and attracts the largest audience of any single sporting event. Treating it like a routine weekend fixture would be the real mistake—not the half-time show.”

Gietzen added, “A great half-time performance doesn’t take away from the football; it’s part of what makes people remember exactly where they were when they watched it.”

“Spending a few extra minutes to get that right isn’t a compromise—it’s Fifa acknowledging that the final is as much a cultural spectacle as it is a sporting contest.”

“Traditionalists might see that as a dilution, but I’d call it Fifa aligning with what a significant portion of the audience has wanted for years. These finals only come once every four years—playing it safe would mean wasting an unrepeatable moment.”

Chris Martin of Coldplay and Emmanuel Kelly previously performed during the halftime show of the Fifa Club World Cup 2025 Final between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain.

ITV has confirmed it will air the entire half-time performance live, while the BBC is expected to announce its own coverage plans soon.

Fifa President Gianni Infantino described the upcoming show as a “groundbreaking spectacle” that will “celebrate football, music, and our shared values, ensuring a legacy that transcends the final whistle.”

It has also been revealed that Hollywood actor Tom Cruise, singer Robbie Williams, and American performer Jennifer Hudson will take part in the closing ceremony.

The pre-match show, scheduled to begin 90 minutes before kick-off, will also feature appearances from Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls, Italian singer-songwriter Laura Pausini, and streamer IShowSpeed. Hudson will perform the United States national anthem as part of the ceremony.