The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will feature a star-studded halftime show, with global music icons Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and K-pop supergroup BTS set to headline the tournament’s first-ever Super Bowl-style performance in New York on 19 July.
Joining the line-up are Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay and the Sesame Street Muppets. The 11-minute performance will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aiming to raise $100 million (£73 million) to expand access to education for children worldwide, reports BBC.
“The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can,” Bieber said.
The Canadian singer recently returned to the stage with a nostalgia-themed performance at the Coachella festival in California, marking his biggest live appearance in four years after cancelling his Justice world tour because of health issues.
During the April performance, Bieber spent much of the set seated in front of a laptop while singing along to YouTube videos of his earlier hits, including Baby, Never Say Never, One Time and Beauty and the Beat.
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has curated the World Cup halftime show, which organisers say will combine entertainment with a fundraising campaign for children’s education through the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
Colombian superstar Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy, who performed during the tournament’s opening celebrations across the three host nations, will also return to the World Cup stage.
Their global hit Dai Dai has dominated music charts and become a regular soundtrack at tournament matches since the competition kicked off on 11 June.
The expanded World Cup began with 48 teams competing across the United States, Canada and Mexico. However, all three host nations have already been eliminated from the tournament.
Eight teams remain in contention as the quarter-finals continue. France face Morocco in Boston on Thursday, while Spain meet Belgium in Los Angeles on Friday. Norway take on England in Miami on Saturday, before defending champions Argentina face Switzerland in Kansas City later the same day.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi currently leads the Golden Boot race with eight goals after producing several record-breaking performances during the tournament. France’s Kylian Mbappé and Norway’s Erling Haaland follow with seven goals each, while England captain Harry Kane has scored six.
