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Justin Bieber is joining FIFA’s first-ever World Cup final halftime show
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FIFA officially has Bieber fever.
The World Cup governing body and the action platform Global Citizen announced July 8 that Justin Bieber will co-headline the World Cup final halftime show on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium. He’ll share the stage with Madonna, Shakira, and BTS in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
THIS JUST IN: @justinbieber is joining as a co-headliner of the first-ever FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final Halftime Show! He joins @Madonna, @shakira, and @bts_bighit for the historic show, in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
Also taking the stage: @burnaboy,… pic.twitter.com/KnxsEt32Dq
— Global Citizen ⭕ (@GlblCtzn) July 8, 2026
The 11-minute show will also feature Burna Boy, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus, the Staten Island elementary school choir, performing alongside Coldplay. The show is also set to feature Sesame Street characters, including Kermit, Miss Piggy, and other Muppets, as part of the broadcast’s education-focused message. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin is curating the performance.
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“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 halftime show is the first of its kind in FIFA World Cup history. While major soccer events often include opening ceremonies or pre-match performances, FIFA is introducing a halftime performance for this year’s final.
The show will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which is raising $100 million to expand access to education and soccer for children worldwide. According to Global Citizen, the fund has already raised more than $50 million. Throughout the tournament, $1 from every ticket sold to FIFA World Cup 2026 matches is being donated to the fund.
🔥 This halftime show is becoming legendary! Justin Bieber joining Shakira, Madonna and BTS for the FIFA World Cup Final is a massive global music moment. 🌎🎤⚽
— Andriana MAGA (@Andriana13558) July 8, 2026
It's official Justin Bieber will be performing at the FIFA world cup halftime show ✨. pic.twitter.com/4MHKWuCfi8
— penny (@swappenny) July 8, 2026
If that's true, the World Cup final halftime show is going to be massive. Bieber, BTS, Madonna and Shakira on one stage would be one of the biggest entertainment lineups FIFA has ever assembled. 🎤🌍🔥
— Paramarley (@Paramarley10315) July 8, 2026
Bieber and Shakira on the same stage? 🔥🎤This World Cup halftime lineup is wild!
— 🅰️ndré Castr🅾️🇧🇷 (@Andrektb76) July 8, 2026
Bieber’s addition expands a lineup that already included several major global artists. Madonna, Shakira, and BTS were previously announced as headliners for the show back in May, while Burna Boy brings another connection to the tournament through “Dai Dai,” the official song of the 2026 World Cup, which he performs with Shakira.
“The FIFA World Cup is one of the few moments that truly brings the entire world together,” Burna Boy said in a statement. “To represent Africa on the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show is a privilege and a responsibility that I don’t take lightly.”
The announcement has not been universally embraced, especially among soccer fans who already feel this World Cup has been “Americanized,” especially with the addition of brand-sponsored hydration breaks that interrupt the usual rhythm of matches. Adding a Super Bowl-style performance in the middle of the New Jersey final feels, to some, like another step in that direction.
World Cup halftime show????? TV off https://t.co/zADG3umOId
— G_certified 🏴🐝 (@gcertifedd) July 8, 2026
halftime show at the world cup is still the stupidest fucking shit ever but hey at least it's my man i guess.. https://t.co/shqODOgRBU pic.twitter.com/TUGjG2Rd2F
— camila (@womenfan01) July 8, 2026
The World Cup Final just became the only match where defenders will be competing with a halftime show for the loudest applause. FIFA knew exactly what they were doing. 😂 https://t.co/pI0cu8cRo2 pic.twitter.com/vWqsEemS1D
— Supreme Analysis ⚽🏟️🥅 (@supremeanalisis) July 8, 2026
This is going to be one of the worst invention of fifa, imagine your team is 2-0 down and you actually paid some extra dollar to watch this shit performing at half time. https://t.co/MTJjl2xQik
— Adil🇪🇸🇦🇷 (@ADILXFCB) July 8, 2026
Wouldn’t it make more sense to have fewer artists and give them enough time instead of cramming everyone into 11 minutes? It’s not like fifa needs multiple big artists to attract viewers. This ain’t the Super Bowl, it’s the World Cup. Everyone and their mother is gonna tune in. https://t.co/5crdC76Xor
— Bubs⁷ (@92Jinius) July 8, 2026
well wait- you mean they’re acc doing a half time show at the world cup i thought that was a joke?? game is so fucking gone what is this yank nonsense??? https://t.co/nMDRLzx1tu
— connie¹⁸ (@forestwitch42) July 8, 2026
That experiment will get its first test next week, and FIFA is hoping they don’t have to say “Sorry.”
TopicsMusicFIFA World Cup
Olivia Tauber is the deputy editor of digital culture, covering creators, media, movies, beauty, and more. Based in New York, her work has appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, The Cut, Teen Vogue, Complex, and Interview Magazine. She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from NYU and a Bachelor’s from the University of Michigan. She also runs Fan Mail, a weekly pop-culture newsletter.
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