Dusseldorf [Germany], July 16: The half-time break during the World Cup final on Sunday is to last more than the usual 15 minutes due to the first-ever half-time show, media reports have said.
It's unclear how long the show will last, but the reports estimate that it could be between 20 to 30 minutes.
Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, Coldplay and K-Pop stars BTS are among the performers announced a few weeks ago, but FIFA didn't give details about the length of the show.
The rules set by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) stipulate that players are entitled to a half-time break of no more than 15 minutes. Accordingly, the duration of the break may only be changed with the referee's permission.
FIFA said that the show at the East Rutherford, New Jersey, stadium will look back at the 48-team event in the US, Mexico and Canada which started on June 11.
The World Cup trophy will be carried at Sunday's final in a special case designed by luxury brand Louis Vuitton, football governing body FIFA has said.
The French firm will be "presenting the official bespoke trophy trunk designed to transport and showcase the most iconic trophy in sports" for the final in New Jersey, FIFA added in a statement on Tuesday before the first semi-final between France and Spain.
There was immediate criticism online by fans who feel the World Cup is becoming too corporate.
But according to FIFA, Louis Vuitton already supplied the trophy case for the World Cup in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino says US President Donald Trump will present the trophy on Sunday.
Source: Qatar Tribune
