Sports scientist Pedro Flores explains why ‘Super Bowling’ FIFA’s showpiece final could have major consequences for Spain and Argentina.

NurPhoto

World Cup 2026

Expert warns that 2026 World Cup final halftime show “could compromise players’ performance and increase injury risk”

Sergio Mancilla Calum Roche

Update: Jul 18th, 2026 12:27 EDT

Make us preferred on Google

The stage is set. Spain and Argentina will meet in the 2026 World Cup final in pursuit of soccer’s biggest prize. The game has no shortage of storylines, and one of them will unfold during halftime.

For this edition of the tournament, FIFA organized its first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show, featuring stars including BTS, Coldplay, Madonna and Shakira.

The halftime break in the 2026 World Cup final will go down in history because of the musical spectacle. Early reports suggested the interval could stretch to around 30 minutes to allow for the performance, along with the construction and removal of the stage. However, FIFA ultimately appears to have heeded the warnings from experts, with the break expected to last about 17 minutes.

If halftime were to extend significantly beyond that, it could affect player performance and increase the risk of injury. That is the conclusion of Pedro Flores, professor and researcher at the University of Colima, who spoke with us at AS USA.

Expert warns that 2026 World Cup final halftime show “could compromise players’ performance and increase injury risk” — Lamine Yamal will be one of the protagonists of the final.DAVID RAMOS

What impact would a 30-minute halftime have on players?

“We can summarize it in seven key effects that have been reported in scientific studies, including intervention studies and systematic reviews focused on this period of inactivity,” Flores said. “The first thing we see is a drop in body temperature, which can be as much as 2 degrees lower than during play.

“After just 10 to 15 minutes of inactivity, studies have reported sprint performance can decline by as much as 2.4%. When we exercise and then stop, we all experience that feeling of stiffness and reduced mobility. If the proper strategies aren’t used, performance won’t be at its best.”

“A drop in body temperature increases the risk of injury”

Expanding on that point, Flores explained: “Starting physical activity again after cooling down obviously increases the risk of muscle injuries. It is also accompanied by reduced neuromuscular activation.

“This happens because the nervous system is fully activated during the game. Once players become inactive and body temperature drops, reaction time, muscle contraction, coordination and technical execution all deteriorate, affecting precision. Heart rate and blood flow also decrease.

“Blood flow begins to slow, reducing oxygen delivery when activity resumes. That increases the perception of effort, making players feel more fatigued in the opening minutes of the second half. They often describe it as having ‘heavy legs.’ It also disrupts the rhythm of the game, making play slower.”

The flow of the World Cup final could suffer

“If the break is too long, technical and tactical mistakes begin to appear. The intensity of pressing drops, and players find it harder to stay focused because the nervous system is no longer in a heightened state of alert. Cognitive performance, particularly concentration, is also affected.

“Excessively long breaks pull players out of their competitive mindset, making it easier to become distracted, overly relaxed or lose tactical focus. They can even increase competitive stress or anxiety heading into the second half. A player’s overall fitness doesn’t permanently decline, but there is a temporary drop in performance because the body returns to a resting state.”

How can coaches reduce the impact?

“There are strategies that can help. Professional teams commonly use what’s known as ‘re-warm-up’ before restarting play. This includes dynamic mobility exercises, progressive accelerations and changes of direction, with or without the ball, to restore body temperature. It helps reduce stiffness, sharpen concentration, raise heart rate and restore the blood flow needed to compete at the highest level.”

Could players suffer serious muscle injuries after cooling down?

“The research shows that when body temperature drops, muscles don’t contract as quickly. Oxygenation, blood flow and joint lubrication also decrease, making athletes more vulnerable to injuries, spasms and cramps during the game.

“Because blood, oxygen and energy substrates are not delivered as efficiently, injuries are more likely to occur in the lower limbs, particularly the calves and the front or back of the thigh, especially at the beginning of the second half.”

Are so many stoppages healthy during a 90-minute game?

“I wouldn’t say they’re unhealthy because they don’t damage the athlete’s overall health. Professional players can quickly regain their competitive level after a short hydration break, where simply restarting play helps raise heart rate and breathing again. They are also closely monitored physically, which helps them manage these interruptions.

“But when the break approaches 30 minutes, much more attention is needed because the body has almost returned to a resting state.

“A 30-minute halftime won’t affect a player’s long-term fitness, but it can temporarily compromise performance and increase the risk of injury unless appropriate activation or re-warm-up measures are carried out before the second half begins.”