Justin Bieber will perform at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final halftime show, FIFA announced Wednesday, joining headliners Madonna, Shakira, and BTS for the first halftime performance in World Cup history on July 19 at the stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The Canadian superstar’s addition completes a blockbuster lineup that also features Afrobeats star Burna Boy, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus of Staten Island schoolchildren performing alongside Coldplay.
Who Is Performing at the World Cup Final Halftime Show?
The confirmed lineup: Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, Dudamel, and Coldplay with the PS22 Chorus. Characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets, including Kermit and Miss Piggy, will also feature.
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin is curating the entire spectacle, a first for a football World Cup final, following a trial halftime show at last year’s Club World Cup final at the same venue.
What Justin Bieber Said
“The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can,” Bieber said in a statement, adding he was grateful to be part of the show and even more grateful it’s helping expand access to education for children worldwide.
Bieber has been visibly engaged with the tournament, attending the opening ceremony at the Los Angeles stadium before the USA’s group-stage match against Paraguay.
Burna Boy struck a similar tone, calling it a privilege and responsibility to represent Africa on the first-ever World Cup final halftime show.
How Long Will the Show Last?
FIFA confirmed the performance will run 11 minutes, slightly shorter than typical Super Bowl halftime shows of 13–14 minutes, and far below earlier speculation of a 25-minute spectacle.
Even so, football’s laws cap halftime at 15 minutes, meaning the break will likely be extended to accommodate stage setup and teardown, a talking point among purists ahead of the final.
Why FIFA Is Doing a Halftime Show
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has billed it as “definitely the biggest stage ever,” with a couple of billion viewers expected to tune in.
The show supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to help children access education and football, the charitable throughline Bieber and Burna Boy both highlighted.
Halftime concerts are alien to soccer tradition; events like the Champions League final stage pre-match shows instead. The July 19 final marks a deliberate, Super Bowl-style break from that norm.
Who Might Be Playing in the Final?
The lineup of performers is set; the lineup on the pitch is not. Argentina, powered by Lionel Messi’s record-breaking tournament, advanced to the quarter-finals with a comeback win over Egypt, while Norway stunned Brazil to reach their first quarter-final. The champion will be crowned in front of Bieber, Madonna, and roughly 82,000 fans on July 19.
FAQ
Is Justin Bieber performing at the World Cup final?
Yes. FIFA confirmed on Wednesday that he will join the halftime show at the final on July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Who else is in the World Cup halftime show?
Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, and Coldplay performing with the PS22 Chorus, plus Sesame Street and Muppets characters.
How long is the World Cup halftime show?
11 minutes, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, the first halftime show in World Cup final history.
Why is there a halftime show at the World Cup?
FIFA is staging a Super Bowl-style spectacle to support its Global Citizen Education Fund, which is raising $100 million for children’s education.
When and where is the 2026 World Cup final?
Sunday, July 19, 2026, at the New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife) in East Rutherford, with billions expected to watch.
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