World Cup final stars warned about injury risk due to extended half-time

A physiology expert has warned that extending the half-time break in Sunday’s World Cup final could raise injury risk and reduce performance. The Argentina vs Spain match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey is scheduled to include a halftime interval of 25 to 30 minutes. Dr Liam Harper, a senior lecturer in physiology at Manchester Metropolitan University, said a standard 15-minute break is enough to lower muscle temperatures back toward resting levels, which supports power output and rate of force development. With the longer stoppage, he expects muscle temperature reduction to be more pronounced. He noted players are used to longer gaps before kickoff, around 30 minutes, but mid-game breaks pose different challenges, especially as conditions could reach about 30°C. Harper suggested FIFA could allow a two-to-four-minute re-warm up before the second half and that foam rollers or massage guns may help maintain mobility and neuromuscular efficiency.