Justin Bieber joins Madonna, Shakira, BTS for FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show
NEW YORK (AP) — Justin Bieber is officially joining the lineup for the FIFA World Cup Final halftime show, taking the stage alongside Madonna, Shakira, and BTS in what organizers are billing as the tournament's first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime spectacle.
FIFA announced Wednesday that Afrobeats star Burna Boy, acclaimed Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and New York-based PS22 Chorus will also perform. The elementary school choir from Staten Island will be joined by Coldplay during the show.
The 11-minute halftime performance, curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, will take place during the FIFA World Cup final on July 19 outside New York. The event will also support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to help children gain access to education and soccer.
"The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can," Bieber said in a statement. "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 inclusion is especially significant as he co-performs this year's official FIFA World Cup anthem, "Dai Dai," with Shakira. The multilingual track blends Afrobeats and Latin influences while celebrating the global nature of football, mentioning countries and some of the sport's biggest stars.
"The FIFA World Cup is one of the few moments that truly brings the entire world together," Burna Boy said. "To represent Africa on the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show is a privilege and a responsibility that I don't take lightly."
Unlike the NFL's Super Bowl, halftime performances are uncommon in football, with major tournaments such as the UEFA Champions League typically featuring pre-match concerts instead.
The World Cup Final halftime show will also feature appearances by characters from "Sesame Street," including Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy.