Phoenix 24
Football’s biggest match adds an unprecedented musical spectacle.
EAST RUTHERFORD, UNITED STATES — July 2026. Justin Bieber will join Madonna, Shakira and BTS as a co-headliner of the first halftime show ever staged during a FIFA World Cup final. The historic 11-minute performance will take place on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium. FIFA confirmed the Canadian artist’s participation after the other three global acts had already been announced.
The production will also feature Nigerian star Burna Boy, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel and New York’s PS22 Chorus alongside Coldplay. Chris Martin, the British band’s lead singer, is curating the musical program. Characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets are also expected to participate.
Bieber said the World Cup has a unique capacity to unite countries and cultures through sport. His addition brings another major international audience to a lineup spanning pop, Latin music and K-pop. Organizers expect the performance to reach billions of viewers around the world.
The halftime show is being produced through a partnership between FIFA and Global Citizen. It will support an education fund intended to expand access to quality learning and football opportunities for children. The initiative transforms the final into both an entertainment event and a global social-impact platform.
The decision marks a significant departure from World Cup tradition, bringing the tournament closer to the spectacle associated with the Super Bowl. The challenge will be delivering a complex production within football’s tightly controlled halftime interval.
For the first time, the World Cup final will pause for a global concert.