NEW YORK (AP) — Justin Bieber is set to infuse his signature style into the World Cup’s highly anticipated halftime show. This event, comparable in grandeur to the Super Bowl’s halftime spectacle, will also feature prominent performers such as Madonna, Shakira, and BTS, as announced by FIFA on Wednesday.
The lineup of performers doesn’t end there. Nigerian afrobeats sensation Burna Boy, celebrated Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and the enchanting PS22 Chorus, an elementary school choir from Staten Island, New York, will also grace the stage, with the latter group sharing the spotlight with Coldplay.
The much-anticipated 11-minute musical performance is being orchestrated by Chris Martin of Coldplay and is slated to occur during the World Cup final near New York on July 19. Beyond entertainment, the event is aligned with a noble cause, as it aims to bolster the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. This initiative is ambitiously working towards raising $100 million to enable children’s education and soccer opportunities worldwide.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Bieber remarked, “The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can. 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.”
Among all the performances, Burna Boy’s participation holds particular significance. He is a vital contributor to this year’s official World Cup anthem, “Dai Dai,” which is led by Shakira. Merging the vibrant sounds of afrobeats and Latin rhythms, this pop anthem presents a global, multilingual appeal. In one of the verses, Shakira energetically acknowledges some of the world’s renowned soccer teams: “Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia,” she chants enthusiastically, followed by “Mexico, Japan, Korea, Netherlands.”
“The FIFA World Cup is one of the few moments that truly brings the entire world together,” Burna Boy said in a statement. “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.”
And while the Super Bowl is famed for its halftime show, such performances are not commonplace in soccer, with events like the Champions League final featuring a pre-match concert.
This year’s World Cup halftime performance will also feature some characters from “Sesame Street,” as well as Muppets like Kermit and Miss Piggy.