FIFA has officially unveiled the lineup for what is being billed as the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show — and the roster of performers is nothing short of spectacular. Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, and K-pop group BTS are all set to take the stage during the World Cup final scheduled for July 19, just outside New York City.
Additional performers rounding out the event include Afrobeats star Burna Boy, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus — a choir made up of elementary school students from Staten Island, New York — who will share the stage with Coldplay.
The 11-minute show has been put together under the creative direction of Coldplay’s Chris Martin. Beyond the entertainment, the performance carries a meaningful purpose: it will raise awareness and funds for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative working to secure $100 million to help children around the world gain access to both education and soccer.
Bieber expressed his enthusiasm for being part of the event. “The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can,” he 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.”
Among the announced acts, Burna Boy’s inclusion carries special significance. He is one half of the official song for this year’s World Cup — a track called “Dai Dai” — which he recorded alongside Shakira. The song blends Afrobeats and Latin rhythms into a multilingual, globally-flavored pop anthem. In one section, Shakira calls out the names of competing nations and players: “Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia… Mexico, Japan, Korea, Netherlands.”
Burna Boy spoke about what the opportunity means to him. “The FIFA World Cup is one of the few moments that truly brings the entire world together,” he said. “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.”
It’s worth noting that elaborate halftime performances are not a tradition in soccer the way they are in American football. Events like the UEFA Champions League final typically feature a pre-match concert rather than a halftime spectacle.
Adding a touch of family-friendly fun to the occasion, the halftime show will also feature some of The Muppets from Sesame Street, including Kermit and Miss Piggy.
