Justin Bieber confirmed for historic World Cup final halftime show
Justin Bieber has been confirmed as the latest superstar to join the FIFA World Cup final halftime show, adding even more star power to a landmark event in football history. The Canadian singer will perform alongside Madonna, Shakira and BTS during the tournament's first-ever halftime show on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Bieber added to historic lineup
FIFA announced Bieber's inclusion as the latest headline act for the 11-minute performance, which will take place during the World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The show marks the first halftime entertainment spectacle in the tournament's history, drawing comparisons with the NFL's Super Bowl.
Bieber said he was honoured to take part in an event that combines football, music and social impact. He added that the World Cup unites people like no other global event and welcomed the opportunity to support children's education worldwide.
His appearance follows his return to live performances earlier this year. The singer headlined a nostalgic set at Coachella, his biggest concert since cancelling the Justice World Tour because of health concerns.
Star-studded supporting cast
Bieber joins an impressive lineup featuring Madonna, Shakira and K-pop sensations BTS. Nigerian star Burna Boy will also perform, alongside Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin is curating the entire production. Characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets, including Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, will also appear during the performance.
The halftime show is expected to reach billions of viewers worldwide. Global Citizen chief executive Hugh Evans described it as the largest gathering of artists united for a charitable cause since Live Aid.
Supporting a global education campaign
The performance has a purpose beyond entertainment. It will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aiming to raise 100 million dollars to improve children's access to education and football opportunities. More than 50 million dollars has already been raised. FIFA has also pledged that one dollar from every World Cup match ticket sold will go directly towards the fund.
Bieber welcomed the initiative, saying he was especially grateful that the performance would help expand educational opportunities for children around the world.
Tournament reaches decisive stage
Attention remains firmly on the action on the pitch as the competition enters the quarter-finals. France progressed to the semi-finals after beating Morocco 2-0, with Kylian Mbappe scoring and assisting after recovering from a first-half penalty miss.
Spain face Belgium in another quarter-final, while Norway meet England and defending champions Argentina take on Switzerland. The winners will complete the final four before the July 19 showpiece.
The race for the Golden Boot also remains close. Lionel Messi leads with eight goals, while Mbappe has matched that tally and moved ahead on assists. Norway striker Erling Haaland sits close behind, with England captain Harry Kane also remaining in contention.
What to expect on July 19
The halftime show will last 11 minutes, making it slightly shorter than a typical Super Bowl performance. Organisers hope the event will create a lasting legacy by blending football, music and charitable impact on the sport's biggest stage.
With global icons from pop, Latin music, Afrobeats and K-pop sharing the spotlight, the World Cup final promises to deliver a memorable spectacle both on and off the pitch. The winning team will lift football's biggest prize, while millions more tune in for a groundbreaking entertainment event.