New York: Canadian pop star Justin Bieber has joined a star-studded lineup of performers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final’s first-ever Super Bowl-style half-time show, set to take place on July 19 in New York City.
Bieber will perform alongside Madonna, Shakira, and K-pop sensation BTS during the 11-minute spectacle. The show will also feature Burna Boy, renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus performing with Coldplay, and the iconic Sesame Street Muppets.
The performance has been curated by Chris Martin and will raise funds for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to generate $100 million (£73 million) to improve access to education for children around the world.
“The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can,” Bieber said.
The appearance marks another major milestone in Bieber’s return to live performances. Earlier this year, the singer, known for hits including Baby, Never Say Never, One Time, Beauty and the Beat, Peaches, and Yummy, made his biggest live appearance in four years at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California.
The nostalgia-themed set came after he cancelled his Justice World Tour because of health issues. During the performance, the 32-year-old spent much of the show seated in front of a laptop while singing along with YouTube videos of some of his biggest hits.
Meanwhile, Shakira and Burna Boy, who helped open the tournament across the three host nations, will return to perform together. Their global hit Dai Dai has topped international music charts and become a regular soundtrack at World Cup matches since the tournament began on June 11.
The expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, the largest in the tournament’s history, kicked off with 48 teams competing across Mexico, Canada, and the United States. However, all three host nations have since been eliminated from the competition.
Eight teams remain in contention as the quarter-finals continue. France will face Morocco in Boston on July 9, while Spain takes on Belgium in Los Angeles on July 10. Fixtures on July 11 see Norway meet England in Miami, while defending champions Argentina face Switzerland in Kansas City.
Lionel Messi currently leads the race for the Golden Boot with eight goals and has broken multiple records during the tournament. He is followed by Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland with seven goals each, while Harry Kane has scored six goals.
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