Justin Bieber will showcase his talent during the World Cup's highly anticipated, Super Bowl-style halftime show. The FIFA organization announced on Wednesday that he will join an impressive lineup of fellow headliners including Madonna, Shakira, and BTS.
Adding to the star-studded event, Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy will perform alongside Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus, which consists of elementary school students from Staten Island, New York. Coldplay will also share the stage with the children’s choir.
The halftime show, which is set to last for 11 minutes, is curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin and will occur during the World Cup final on July 19, outside New York. This performance aims to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which is working to raise $100 million to provide children around the world with access to education and soccer.
Expressing his excitement, Bieber stated, "The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can... I’m grateful to be part of this Halftime Show, and even more grateful knowing it’s already helping expand access to education for children around the world."
Burna Boy's participation is particularly remarkable as he is one-half of this year’s official song for the World Cup, titled "Dai Dai," featuring Shakira. This track seamlessly blends Afrobeats with Latin rhythms, resulting in a global, multilingual pop anthem. In one of the verses, they mention notable soccer players and countries participating in the tournament, including "Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Netherlands," as Shakira enthusiastically sings.
Burna Boy remarked on the privilege and responsibility of representing Africa during the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show, stating, "The FIFA World Cup is one of the few moments that truly brings the entire world together."
While the Super Bowl is renowned for its halftime performances, such showcases are not typically a feature of soccer matches. For instance, events like the Champions League final often only include pre-match concerts. This year, however, there is a significant shift as the World Cup halftime show dives into a more entertainment-focused format.
To add more excitement, this year's performance will also feature beloved characters from The Muppets, including Kermit and Miss Piggy, promising to delight audiences worldwide.
With a compelling mix of musical talent and a focus on global unity and education, the World Cup halftime show is set to become a memorable event in sports history.
