FIFA and Global Citizen announced today that Justin Bieber unites Madonna, Shakiraand BTS co-headlining the first half of the FIFA World Cup Final, which will be shown on July 19, 2026, at the New Jersey Stadium. The 11-minute historical performance, curated Coldplay‘small Chris Martinrepresents an unprecedented convergence of global music icons united around a single purpose: expanding access to education for children worldwide.
A cultural moment unlike any other
The lineup expands beyond the four co-headliners to include Burna Boyconductor Gustavo Dudameland Y.G.22 Choiran acclaimed public elementary school choir from Staten Island with members of; Coldplay. Characters from Sesame Street, including Kermit and Miss Piggy from The Muppets, will also join in, reinforcing the show’s commitment to celebrating children’s learning.
In scale and ambition, this halftime show surpasses any previous sporting event performance. Hugh EvansCo-founder and CEO of Global Citizen put it bluntly: “This is the biggest gathering of artists united for a cause since Live Aid and could very well be the most watched 11 minutes of music in history.”
The show is produced by Global Citizen in association with Living Nation and Done + Dustedwith production supervision and editing by Chris Martin. The advisory board guiding the initiative includes; Hugh Jackman, The Weeknd, Ivanka Trump, Serena Williams, Badand Jim DeMareco-chairman of Bank of America.
Education as a central mission
What distinguishes this halftime show from all its predecessors is its explicit charitable mandate. Every element of performance, every artist appearance and every production choice serves a single purpose: to raise funds and awareness for FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
The Education Fund is targeting total commitments of $100 million to expand access to quality education and soccer for children in underserved communities in ten countries. As of today’s announcement, the fund has already secured over $50 million, with momentum building up to the 2026 World Cup.
The economic model is purposeful and comprehensive. Every dollar from ticket sales to the 2026 World Cup matches will be donated to the fund throughout the duration of the tournament. In addition, governments representing participating nations are encouraged to announce new commitments. Canadaof the prime minister Carney and PortugalIts Prime Minister has already pledged, with Global Citizen now targeting contributions from France (Chairman Macron), Spain (Prime minister Sanchez), and Germany (Chancellor Merz).
A special pledge event is planned for July 16, 2026, just three days before half-time, which will be positioned as the final call for world leaders to demonstrate their commitment to global equity in education on the international stage.
Why now, why this cause
The numbers driving this initiative are sober and indisputable. Currently, approximately 350 million children and adolescents remain out of school worldwide. Of these, an estimated 133 million do not meet the minimum level of proficiency in reading and math by the end of elementary school, perpetuating cycles of poverty and reducing opportunity in entire regions.
In May 2026, FIFA and Global Citizen announced the inaugural group of organizations receiving grants from the Education Fund, providing direct support to education and soccer initiatives in underserved communities. The fund uses a proven model that combines education, sport and community engagement, recognizing that football serves as both an infrastructure and a cultural bridge across many regions.
Applications for the second round of grants are now open at globalcitizen.org/education-fund-apply.
The commitment of artists
Justin Bieber remarked about his participation: “The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way that nothing else can. I am grateful to be a part of this Halftime Show, and even more grateful knowing that it is already helping to expand access to education for children around the world.”
Burna Boyrepresenting Africa on the world stage, he underlined the weight of his participation: “To represent Africa in the first half of the FIFA World Cup is a privilege and a responsibility that I do not take lightly. I am honored to be part of a show that not only celebrates football and culture, but also helps create greater opportunities for children through education around the world.”
For Madonnawhose career has always been about cultural moments, and for Shakirawhose foundation has long championed education in Latin America, this halftime show aligns with decades of activist commitment. BTS brings a global fan base known for mobilizing around social causes, while Chris MartinThe curation reflects Coldplay’s ongoing collaboration with Global Citizen, a relationship spanning years of festival collaborations.
A moment for Music and Movement
FIFA President Gianni Infantino He placed the show in the larger narrative of the World Cup: “The FIFA World Cup is one of the few moments that really brings the whole world together. Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel and PS 22 Chorus ft. Coldplay will join and play a key role in delivering a powerful message of unity and hope to billions of people around the world. In 2026 at the New York Stadium in New Jersey, this ground-breaking spectacle, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, will celebrate football, music and our shared values, ensuring a legacy that goes beyond the final whistle.”
The halftime show reaches a critical cultural turning point. Global citizenship, once considered a niche concern, has become mainstream. The convergence of entertainment, sports and social impact reflects how audiences now evaluate cultural moments not just by spectacle, but by consistency. This halftime show delivers on both fronts: unprecedented scale of production coupled with a measurable commitment to the global stock.
Broadcast live around the world on 19 July 2026, the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Half will reach billions of viewers. For eleven minutes, people will watch music and football come together not only as entertainment, but as instruments of change.
