World Cup Half-Time Show Sparks Player Welfare Debate as IFAB Warned Against Longer Breaks

FIFA's planned half-time show for the 2026 World Cup final has drawn welfare concerns. IFAB, football's rule-making body, previously rejected extending half-times beyond 15 minutes, citing injury risk from prolonged inactivity. British content creator Ellis Platten told the BBC: "they're just thinking 'oh we can have Justin Bieber on stage' but Messi's in a World Cup final."