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The jarring Americanization of football will continue till the last World Cup game.
Following the controversial commercial breaks – sorry, hydration breaks – which have segmented games into four quarters more readily associated with American sports like the NFL, the World Cup final on 19 July will feature a halftime show.
The 11-minute Super Bowl-style performance, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, will feature the likes of Madonna, Shakira, BTS and the newly announced Justin Bieber.
FIFA and Global Citizen announced Bieber will be the fourth main headliner.
“The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can,’ said the 32-year-old Canadian pop star 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.”
Afrobeats star Burna Boy, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus – a choir of elementary school students based in Staten Island, New York – will also perform, the last joined by Coldplay.
While this halftime show may rub some football fans the wrong way, there is one positive – as alluded to by Bieber: it will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which is raising $100 million to help children access education.
“A FIFA World Cup first, the Halftime Show supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a landmark initiative working to raise $100 USD million to expand access to quality education and football for children around the world,” FIFA previously announced. “Throughout the tournament, USD 1 from every ticket sold to FIFA World Cup 2026 matches will be donated to the Fund.”
Considering the controversies surrounding FIFA and allegations of corruption – the most recent being the controversial red card reversal after a phone call from Donald Trump and the eyebrow-raising all-Argentinian referee line-up for the upcoming France v Morocco game – this charity-led halftime show could brighten their image.
Hugh Evans, co-founder and CEO of Global Citizen, certainly thinks so.
“This is the single largest gathering of artists united for a cause since Live Aid, and it could well be the most-watched 11 minutes of broadcast music performance in history,” said Evans. “This is a moment that will bring the world together through music, hope, and action.”
He added: “These extraordinary artists, representing every corner of the globe, are coming together to help create opportunities for children everywhere through the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.”
The “extraordinary artists” will also include some characters from Sesame Street and the Muppets, apparently.
Let’s just hope Miss Piggy doesn’t decide to karate chop FIFA president Gianni Infantino or steal the World Cup trophy from Donald Trump, who will be presenting the award at the final.
The World Cup Final will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on 19 July.