Justin Bieber Just Joined BTS on the World Cup Final Halftime Bill
BTS's World Cup Final Halftime Show lineup grew by one this week. FIFA and Global Citizen announced Justin Bieber will co-headline the July 19 show alongside BTS, Madonna and Shakira - the first-ever halftime performance at a FIFA World Cup Final, taking place at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay round out the 11-minute broadcast, which Coldplay's Chris Martin is curating. "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," Burna Boy said in a statement. FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the expanded lineup as a historic moment intended to convey unity through the tournament's final match.
The show doubles as a fundraiser for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which is working toward a $100 million goal to expand education and football access for children worldwide; $1 from every World Cup 2026 ticket sold is being donated to the fund, and organizers say more than $50 million has already been raised. Bieber tied his involvement directly to that cause: "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," he said.
BTS was first confirmed for the show back in May, alongside Madonna and Shakira, in an announcement video featuring Coldplay's Chris Martin alongside Muppets characters including Elmo, Kermit and Miss Piggy on a FaceTime call with the group. The performance will mark the first time all seven BTS members have performed together at a World Cup - Jungkook previously performed solo at the 2022 Qatar World Cup with the official song "Dreamers."
The date lands in the middle of BTS's ongoing "Arirang" World Tour. The group played Munich's Allianz Arena this weekend before continuing to Paris on July 17 and 18 - meaning the World Cup Final falls just one day after their final Stade de France show, with BTS moving from a European stadium tour stop straight into the world's most-watched single sporting broadcast.
FIFA has not announced whether additional performers will be added before the July 19 show.
