FIFA has expanded the star-studded lineup for the first-ever halftime show at a World Cup final, set to take place in the United States in 2026. Canadian pop star Justin Bieber has joined the performers who will take the stage on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Organizers announced that the show, which will also feature performances by Madonna, Shakira and South Korean group BTS, will last a total of 11 minutes. This is slightly shorter than the Super Bowl halftime shows, which typically run 13-14 minutes.
The event, curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, will be a first for a World Cup final. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the show would be 'absolutely the biggest stage ever' and is expected to reach 'a few billion' viewers.
The show will also feature Sesame Street and Muppets characters, as well as Nigerian singer Burna Boy and Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, who were added to the lineup with the new announcement. Coldplay will collaborate with the PS22 Chorus, a choir from a public school in New York.
The show will support FIFA's Global Citizen Education Fund. The initiative aims to raise $100 million for children worldwide throughout the World Cup. Justin Bieber said in a statement, 'I'm grateful to be part of this halftime show, and knowing that it's already helping to increase access to education for children around the world makes me even more grateful.'
Hugh Evans, CEO of the global anti-poverty group Global Citizen, described the event as 'the largest gathering of artists for a cause since Live Aid.'
While football rules stipulate that halftime should not exceed 15 minutes, even the 11-minute performance may require additional time for stage setup. A trial at the FIFA Club World Cup final held at the same stadium last year extended halftime to over 24 minutes and was criticized for its impact on player performance.
