Pop superstar Justin Bieber has joined one of the most anticipated musical lineups in sports history. FIFA and Global Citizen announced today that Bieber will co-headline the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show alongside Madonna, Shakira, and BTS on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The addition of Bieber to the already star-studded roster marks a significant expansion of what organizers describe as “a singular moment at the intersection of sport, culture and impact, broadcast live around the world.” His inclusion brings together a diverse array of global musical talent spanning multiple generations and genres. “The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can,” Bieber said in a statement. “I’m grateful to be part of this Halftime Show, and even more grateful knowing it’s already helping expand access to education for children around the world.”
The 11-minute halftime performance will be curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay and produced by Global Citizen in partnership with Live Nation and Done + Dusted. This marks the first halftime show in FIFA World Cup Final history, bringing a Super Bowl-style spectacle to the world’s most-watched sporting event. The show will also feature additional notable performers including Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus, an acclaimed choir of fourth and fifth graders from a public elementary school in Staten Island, New York, featuring Coldplay.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the significance of the lineup and its broader mission. “When it comes to what the world needs, there is nothing more important than education. We are proud to have Justin Bieber joining Madonna, Shakira and BTS to co-headline the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund and our mission to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children around the world,” he said.
Each of the headline artists brings considerable experience to major sporting events. Shakira cemented her place in World Cup lore with “Waka Waka,” the chart-topping anthem of the 2010 tournament. She subsequently headlined the Super Bowl halftime show in 2015 alongside Jennifer Lopez. Madonna earned her credentials by headlining the 2012 Super Bowl halftime show. BTS, the seven-member K-pop group, recently returned to performing following a three-year hiatus to complete mandatory military service obligations in South Korea and will take time off from their global tour to perform at the World Cup.
Bieber’s involvement comes after a notable year of public appearances, including an intimate performance for VIP guests at the World Cup opening ceremony last month and a well-received set at Coachella that demonstrated his continued ability to draw massive audiences. His inclusion broadens the show’s appeal to younger streaming audiences while providing contemporary pop credentials to complement the more established stars on the roster.
The halftime show will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an ambitious initiative working to raise $100 million to expand access to quality education and football for children worldwide. The fund has already raised over $50 million, with momentum continuing to build as $1 from every ticket sold to FIFA World Cup 2026 matches is being donated throughout the tournament. The halftime show will also feature appearances by beloved characters from Sesame Street and the Muppets, reinforcing the educational mission at the heart of the production.
The final match is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET on July 19, making the halftime show a centerpiece of what is expected to be a record-breaking broadcast. The 2022 World Cup Final in Qatar attracted 1.5 billion viewers worldwide, and this year’s final in New Jersey is projected to exceed those numbers, given the expanded entertainment offering and the marquee host nation.
The halftime show represents a historic departure from World Cup tradition. Soccer’s Laws of the Game typically define halftime as a 15-minute break, though recent precedent from the 2024 Copa America Final and 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Final suggests that halftime can be extended to accommodate musical performances. Some British broadcasters including BBC and ITV have indicated they may air traditional punditry during the halftime interval instead of broadcasting the performance live, with viewers instead able to access the show through their digital platforms.
Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans reflected on the initiative’s origins. “Four years ago, at the time of the Qatar World Cup, Chris Martin called me and said, ‘wouldn’t it be amazing if we could do a halftime show for the World Cup, because it is this moment that brings all of humanity together,'” Evans explained. The result is a groundbreaking spectacle designed to serve as both entertainment and a platform for global change, uniting music, sport, and educational mission in a unprecedented way.