Star-Studded Line-Up Announced for FIFA World Cup Half-Time Show
Canadian pop sensation Justin Bieber will join an illustrious group of performers, including Madonna, Shakira, and the K-pop group BTS, for the FIFA World Cup final half-time show. This event, which is a first for the World Cup, will be held on July 19 in New York.
The half-time show, inspired by the Super Bowl's format, will feature an 11-minute performance. Other artists participating include Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay, along with the beloved Sesame Street muppets. This performance aims to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
Justin Bieber remarked, "The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can." This appearance follows Bieber's spring return to the stage at Coachella after a four-year hiatus due to health issues, where he performed a nostalgic setlist including hits like 'Baby' and 'Never Say Never.'
The FIFA half-time show is being curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin. It aims to raise funds for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which is dedicated to collecting $100 million for children globally. The show will also see a return performance by Colombian singer Shakira and Nigerian artist Burna Boy. Their song 'Dai Dai' has been a chart-topping hit since the tournament began on June 11.
Tournament Highlights and Current Standings
The 2026 World Cup is the largest to date, featuring 48 teams competing in Mexico, Canada, and the US. The host nations' teams, however, have been eliminated from the competition. As the tournament progresses, eight teams remain in the quarterfinals. On Thursday, France will face Morocco in Boston, followed by Spain against Belgium in Los Angeles on Friday. Saturday's matches include Norway against England in Miami, and defending champions Argentina versus Switzerland in Kansas City.
Argentina's Lionel Messi is leading the race for the Golden Boot with eight goals. He is followed closely by France's Kylian Mbappé and Norway's Erling Haaland, each with seven goals, and England's Harry Kane with six.
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