Justin Bieber has been confirmed as one of the headline performers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final half-time show, joining an all-star line-up that includes Madonna, Shakira and K-pop sensation BTS.
The Canadian pop superstar will take to the stage during the World Cup final at New York on July 19 in FIFA’s first-ever Super Bowl-style half-time show. The 11-minute performance will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise US$100 million (£73 million) to improve education opportunities for children around the world.
“The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can,” Bieber said after the announcement. The landmark performance is expected to be one of the biggest entertainment spectacles in football history, combining music and sport on the world’s largest stage.
The half-time show has been curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and will also feature Nigerian star Burna Boy, renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus alongside Coldplay, and even the iconic Sesame Street Muppets.
Shakira and Burna Boy, who performed during the tournament’s opening ceremony across the three North American host nations, will reunite to perform their global hit Dai Dai, which has become one of the unofficial anthems of the 2026 World Cup.
Bieber’s appearance marks another major milestone in his return to live performances after health issues forced him to cancel his Justice World Tour. Earlier this year, he made his biggest stage comeback in four years with a nostalgic set at the Coachella Music Festival, performing fan favourites including Baby, Never Say Never, One Time and Beauty and the Beat.
Meanwhile, the football action continues as the tournament enters the quarter-final stage. France will face Morocco on Thursday, while Spain take on Belgium on Friday. Norway meet England on Saturday, with defending champions Argentina set to battle Switzerland later the same day.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi currently leads the race for the Golden Boot with eight goals. France’s Kylian Mbappé and Norway’s Erling Haaland are close behind on seven goals each, while England captain Harry Kane has scored six times heading into the final stages of the competition.
