Justin Bieber Joins Star-Studded World Cup 2026 Halftime Show

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-07-09

Justin Bieber has officially been confirmed as a co-headliner for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show. He'll join Madonna, Shakira, and BTS on stage at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19. This is a huge deal because it's the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA World Cup final. The performance itself will last 11 minutes and air during the championship match. You'll also see Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS 22 Chorus featuring Coldplay take the stage. But here's the real kicker: the whole event is tied to a big fundraising push for children's education worldwide. ### A Lineup That's Hard to Beat Bieber's addition really rounds out an already incredible group. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the artist joins Madonna, Shakira, and BTS in supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. This fund is all about widening access to education and football programs for kids globally. Burna Boy is also performing, and his collaboration with Shakira on "Dai Dai" has been doing really well internationally. You'll also see Dudamel, who directs the New York Philharmonic, and the Webby Award-winning PS 22 Chorus with Coldplay. It's a mix that spans generations and genres. And get this: characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets will make appearances too. That ties the whole show directly to its education-focused goal. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who's curating the event, described it in a promotional video as being all about togetherness and inclusion. It's not just a concert; it's a statement. ### The Real Purpose: Funding Education Here's what makes this more than just entertainment. The Final Halftime Show is directly linked to fundraising for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. The goal is to raise $100 million for education and football access programs for children. So far, organizers have already raised more than $50 million. Part of that total comes from ticket sales. For every FIFA World Cup 2026 match ticket sold, $1 goes toward the fund. It's a small amount per ticket, but when you think about the millions of fans attending games, it adds up fast. Back in May, FIFA and Global Citizen announced the first set of organizations receiving grants from the fund. These grants cover education and football programs across ten countries. According to FIFA, the fund supports community-led programs that combine schooling, sport, and local involvement. The goal is to improve educational outcomes and create opportunities in underserved areas. Bieber said he's glad to be part of a show that's already helping expand education access for children. Burna Boy added that the performance carries extra weight because it's a chance to represent Africa on the World Cup's biggest global stage. ### Who's Behind the Scenes The halftime show is being produced by Global Citizen alongside Live Nation and Done + Dusted. FIFA has also named a non-fiduciary advisory board for the Global Citizen Education Fund. The board includes Infantino, Global Citizen co-founder Hugh Evans, Shakira, actor Hugh Jackman, businesswoman Ivanka Trump, singer The Weeknd, tennis player Serena Williams, former footballer Kaka, and Bank of America co-president Jim DeMare. That's quite a mix of talent and influence. Separately, FIFA's Unite for Education campaign is running throughout the tournament. Players will wear a sleeve patch during the Round of 16, quarterfinal, and semifinal matches to draw attention to education initiatives. These include the Global Citizen Education Fund and the FIFA Football for Schools Programme. More details on the fund and its grant recipients are available through FIFA and Global Citizen's official channels. The FIFA World Cup 2026 final and its halftime show will take place on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium, closing out the tournament hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. For more sports news and updates, visit JeetWin Blog. ### Key Performers at a Glance - Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, and BTS as co-headliners - Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, and PS 22 Chorus featuring Coldplay - Special appearances by Sesame Street and Muppets characters - Curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin