2026 World Cup Halftime Show: Every Performer Revealed, Plus How to Catch Every Moment Live

FIFA has announced that the inaugural halftime show at a men's World Cup final will feature four co-headlining acts.

Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, and BTS make up the foursome charged with captivating audiences during the year's most watched sporting event.

"As the world comes together for the most important football match in history on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at the New York New Jersey Stadium, this landmark spectacle, curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay, will honor football, music and our common values, leaving a legacy that goes beyond the final whistle," FIFA President Gianni Infantino enthused in an official press release.

While this kind of elaborate performance suits the American backdrop of the tournament, halftime shows aren't always well-received at soccer matches. Camila Cabello was notoriously booed throughout her set at the 2022 Champions League final by Real Madrid and Liverpool supporters, sparking a social media post calling out the "rude" fans, which was later taken down.

Nevertheless, there is a philanthropic dimension to this grand affair. The halftime show will benefit the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund in its effort to finance social initiatives providing access to "quality education and football opportunities for children worldwide." Already halfway to its $100 million fundraising goal, FIFA has committed to directing $1 for every ticket sold toward the initiative.

"The FIFA World Cup unites the world like nothing else can," Justin Bieber is quoted by FIFA as saying. "I'm honored to be part of this halftime show, and even more so knowing it's already helping expand access to education for children around the world."

Other Acts Performing at 2026 World Cup Halftime Show

Burna Boy will bookend the World Cup. Shakira's collaborator on the official tournament anthem "Dai Dai" appeared alongside the Colombian star at the opening ceremony in Mexico City but has not been listed by FIFA among the co-headliners for the final.

Unfazed by what some might see as a step down, Burna Boy is quoted by FIFA as saying: "The FIFA World Cup is one of the rare moments that truly brings the entire world together. To represent Africa at the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show is both a privilege and a responsibility I take very seriously.

"I'm honored to be part of a performance that not only celebrates football and culture but also helps create greater opportunities for children through education around the world."

The Afrofusion star will be joined in some capacity by Gustavo Dudamel, the renowned conductor and music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, along with PS 22 Chorus, a viral sensation comprising roughly 85 public school fourth and fifth graders from New York City. Coldplay have also managed to secure a spot among the choir of schoolchildren.

Not limiting themselves to musical performers, characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets will also make an appearance. The reasoning is that since the entire event is ostensibly a vehicle to raise funds for charities supporting children's education, why not include the beloved puppets who help teach kids on television?

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How to Watch 2026 World Cup Halftime Show on TV, Live Stream

U.S. broadcaster Fox Sports will wrap up its six-week exclusive World Cup coverage with the final in New Jersey. However, whether the halftime show actually makes it to air remains uncertain. Fox drew significant criticism for missing Shakira's entire performance during the tournament's opening ceremony.

For U.S. viewers seeking a Spanish-language broadcast of the event, should it be captured on camera, Telemundo is the go-to option.

Having split coverage of every other match this summer, both the BBC and ITV will broadcast the World Cup final in the U.K.

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