FIFA has shed light on one of the great mysteries of the World Cup final that faces Spain and Argentina this coming Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. It is none other than the duration of the break, which according to the tournament organization will not exceed 17 minutes. That is, only two more than the usual rest time in a soccer match.
FIFA has informed the Federations of Spain and Argentina that the break in the final will not exceed 17 minutes. Eleven of them will be occupied by musical performances by Shakira, Madonna and Justin Bieber, a much shorter time than initially planned. Various information suggested that, with so many performances, the break would be over half an hour.
FIFA wanted to clarify that the duration will be much shorter, just two minutes longer than a normal match. The rest of the time, about six minutes, will be used to set up and dismantle the stage for said musical performances and to water the grass, another of Spain’s concerns ahead of the final. In other games played at MetLife, this one has seemed very dry and slower than usual.
What does not change are the hydration breaks, something common in this World Cup due to the high temperatures recorded in most of the matches. There will be two, as always, one in the middle of each playing time.
