Justin Bieber, Shakira, Madonna and BTS to headline FIFA halftime show
FIFA has confirmed an all-star musical lineup for the 2026 World Cup final, featuring a historic halftime show curated to benefit the Global Citizen Education Fund.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is nearing its conclusion, and tournament organizers have confirmed that the final match will feature a major departure from tradition. On July 19, 2026, the championship match at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium — referred to for the tournament as New York-New Jersey Stadium — will host the first-ever halftime show in the competition's 96-year history. The spectacle is intended to mirror the scale of Super Bowl-style entertainment, bringing together a roster of global stars to perform during the interval.
FIFA confirmed on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, that Canadian pop artist Justin Bieber has been added as a co-headliner for the event. He joins a lineup that includes Madonna, Shakira, and BTS. The performance is being curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who previously worked with the Muppets characters Elmo and the Cookie Monster to reveal the initial lineup earlier this year.
Media additions
The halftime production is scheduled to run for 11 minutes. This duration was intentionally engineered to fit within the sport’s regulatory 15-minute halftime break, addressing concerns regarding the potential impact of a longer delay on player performance and match flow. The decision to incorporate the show follows a test run conducted at last year’s FIFA Club World Cup final at the same venue, an event that saw the break extended to over 24 minutes, according to Al Jazeera reporting.
Beyond the primary headliners, the production will feature several additional artists and groups:
- Burna Boy: The Nigerian singer-songwriter, who performed the official 2026 tournament song, "Dai Dai," alongside Shakira at the opening match in Mexico City.
- Gustavo Dudamel: The music and artistic director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
- PS22 Chorus: An acclaimed elementary school choir from New York, performing alongside Coldplay.
- The Muppets: Iconic characters, including Kermit and Miss Piggy, are slated to appear as part of the cross-generational celebration.
The event is a central component of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aimed at raising $100 million to expand access to soccer and education for children in underserved communities. According to FIFA, more than $50 million has been raised to date, bolstered by a contribution of $1 from every ticket sold to 2026 World Cup matches. Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans described the production as the largest gathering of artists united for a single cause since Live Aid, adding that the organization is calling on international leaders, specifically mentioning French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, to contribute to the fund.
Shakira’s participation marks the latest chapter in her two-decade involvement with the tournament. The Colombian artist performed at the 2006 closing ceremony, sang the 2010 anthem "Waka Waka (Time for Africa)," and contributed to the 2014 theme "La La La (Brazil 2014)." Regarding her return to the World Cup stage, Shakira noted the significance of aligning her professional career with her philanthropic goals through the Barefoot Foundation.
The announcement of Bieber’s participation comes as the artist continues a 2026 return to public life. Following a headlining set at Coachella in April and an appearance at the NHL Draft in June, his addition to the World Cup final is viewed by analysts as a high-profile validation of his current trajectory. Bieber stated that he was grateful to be involved, citing the power of the World Cup to foster global unity.
What to Watch Next
- Tournament Conclusion: The final match is scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. ET. The halftime show is expected to commence between 3:45 p.m. And 4 p.m.
While FIFA president Gianni Infantino has characterized the event as potentially reaching "a couple of billion" viewers, the logistical success of integrating a complex, multi-artist musical performance into the structure of a professional football match remains a point of interest for sports analysts and fans alike.
