Justin Bieber among global singers lined up for World Cup 2026 final half-time show

NEW JERSEY: FIFA has announced a star-studded entertainment line-up for the historic 2026 World Cup final, with Canadian pop icon Justin Bieber set to join Madonna, Shakira and BTS in headlining the tournament's first-ever official half-time show.

The landmark performance will take place during the FIFA World Cup final on 19 July at New York New Jersey Stadium, marking the first time football's biggest tournament will feature a Super Bowl-style half-time show.

Justin Bieber will share the stage with global music superstars Madonna, Colombian singer Shakira and South Korean pop sensation BTS during the FIFA World Cup 2026 final half-time show.

The wider entertainment programme will also feature Nigerian Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy, acclaimed Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, British rock band Coldplay, New York's PS22 Chorus, along with appearances by Sesame Street and The Muppets.

The show is being produced in partnership with Global Citizen and curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, with organisers aiming to blend football, music and culture in front of a worldwide audience expected to reach hundreds of millions of viewers.

Beyond the entertainment, the event will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative targeting 100 million US dollars to expand access to education and football opportunities for children across the globe.

The introduction of a half-time show marks a significant departure from previous FIFA World Cup finals, which have traditionally featured only pre-match entertainment. 

FIFA believes the addition will enhance the spectacle while preserving the prestige of the sport's biggest occasion.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will also be the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams, making it the largest World Cup in history.