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The announcement of the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show has sparked debate over whether entertainment can overshadow the controversies that have marked the tournament, including disputed officiating, VAR decisions, allegations of administrative interference, and claims of unequal treatment of participating nations.
FIFA announced Wednesday that “football, music and social impact will come together in the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show on July 19, at New York New Jersey Stadium.”
The governing body has emphasized that, alongside organizing the world’s largest single-sport event across three host nations, it remains committed to its “mission to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children around the world.”
However, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been accompanied by a series of controversies. Critics have pointed to disputed officiating, contentious VAR decisions, allegations of unequal treatment of participating teams, and claims of political interference, including criticism surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s reported involvement in the suspension of a red card punishment for an American player.
Among the teams cited by critics are Iran, Croatia, Egypt, and Belgium, all of which have expressed concerns about decisions made during the tournament. For those teams and their supporters, a halftime entertainment program is unlikely to diminish concerns over what they view as inconsistent officiating and uneven application of tournament rules.
Many believe the integrity of the competition must remain the priority and that the rules should be applied equally to every team, regardless of region, nationality, or ethnicity.
One of the tournament’s most contentious incidents occurred during the Round of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium. Spectators threw water bottles onto the field after a Croatian goal was disallowed following a VAR review. While the ruling may have been based on a technical interpretation of the laws of the game, many fans viewed it as a subjective decision that denied Croatia an equalizing goal.
Egypt also voiced frustration following its elimination, with supporters objecting to the disallowance of a goal because of an earlier foul in the buildup and arguing that star forward Mohd Salah should have been awarded a penalty after being fouled inside Argentina’s penalty area.
Belgium also expressed disappointment over the suspension of the red card punishment issued to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun before the Round of 16. Some other European teams, including Norway, also criticized the decision, alleging it had been influenced by intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Critics argue that FIFA should maintain greater transparency in its organizational and disciplinary processes rather than relying on internal procedures that may be perceived as lacking accountability. While cultural performances and music are widely appreciated, many contend they resonate most when accompanied by confidence in fair play and FIFA’s own slogan, “Football unites.”
Despite the criticism, FIFA is moving forward with an unprecedented halftime spectacle.
According to FIFA, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay will perform during the break in the championship match.
“Over USD 50 million has already been raised, which includes USD 1 from every ticket sold to FIFA World Cup matches being donated to support social projects around the world.
“FIFA and Global Citizen are pleased to announce that global superstar Justin Bieber has joined as co-headliner of the historic FIFA World Cup 2026 final halftime show, taking place on Sunday, July 19.
“Justin Bieber joins Madonna, Shakira and BTS as co-headliners for the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show, bringing together some of the world’s biggest artists for a landmark celebration at the intersection of sport, music and global impact.
“Burna Boy, whose global smash hit ‘Dai Dai’ with Shakira continues to dominate the charts worldwide, will also appear during the 11-minute broadcast, alongside Gustavo Dudamel, the internationally acclaimed Venezuelan conductor and music and artistic director of the New York Philharmonic, and the Webby Award-winning PS 22 Chorus featuring Coldplay.
“When it comes to what the world needs, there is nothing more important than education. We are proud to have Justin Bieber joining Madonna, Shakira and BTS to co-headline the show in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund and our mission to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children around the world,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel and PS 22 Chorus ft. Coldplay will also join and play a key role in conveying a powerful message of unity and hope to billions of people worldwide. As the world unites for the most significant football match in history on Sunday, 19 July 2026, at the New York New Jersey Stadium, this groundbreaking spectacle, curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay, will celebrate football, music and our shared values, ensuring a legacy that transcends the final whistle.
“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,” said Justin Bieber.
“The FIFA World Cup is one of the few moments that truly brings the entire world together. 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. 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,” added Burna Boy.
Characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets, long associated with children’s educational programming, will also participate in the show. FIFA said their inclusion reinforces the event’s objective of promoting access to quality education for children worldwide.
The halftime show is being produced by Global Citizen in partnership with Live Nation and Done + Dusted. In a promotional film announcing the performers, Coldplay’s Chris Martin introduced the lineup and said the show will be “all about togetherness… and everyone’s invited.”
In May 2026, FIFA and Global Citizen announced the first group of organizations to receive grants from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. The grants support programs that expand access to education and football for children in underserved communities across 10 countries.
According to FIFA, the fund supports community-based initiatives that combine education, sport, and local engagement to improve educational outcomes and create greater opportunities for children in underserved regions.
The non-fiduciary FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund Advisory Board includes FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Global Citizen Co-Founder and CEO Hugh Evans, Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira, Australian actor Hugh Jackman, U.S. businesswoman and entrepreneur Ivanka Trump, Canadian singer-songwriter The Weeknd, U.S. tennis great Serena Williams, Brazilian football legend Kaká, and Bank of America Co-President Jim DeMare.
Additionally, through FIFA’s Unite for Education campaign, the tournament has highlighted football’s role in expanding educational opportunities beyond the pitch. During the Round of 16, Quarter-finals, and Semi-finals, players have worn the “Unite for Education” sleeve patch to raise awareness of the initiative.
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