Inside World Cup 2026's First Halftime Show With Justin Bieber, BTS

Channing Tatum's World Cup Transformation Into Soccer Star Erling Haaland Deserves a Double Take

The 2026 World Cup is taking a page out of the American football playbook.

As the international soccer competition makes its way through stadiums across North America, the championship match will kick off at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey July 19, featuring a well-known sports tradition in the US: a dazzling halftime performance.

Indeed, BTS, Shakira, Madonna and Justin Bieber are joining forces to co-headline the first-ever FIFA World Cup Halftime Show, curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. The set will start at 3 p.m. ET and air on Telemundo, FOX, and Peacock.

The performance—produced by Global Citizen in partnership with Live Nation and Done + Dusted—will hit all the right notes with its setlist and its support for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. The initiative aims to raise $100 million to expand access to education and soccer opportunities globally, with $1 added to every ticket sold for matches.

Martin announced the concert in a video with Sesame Street's most beloved characters, who helped choose which artists to feature. While Elmo was hung up Madonna and Animal wanted to move his hips to Shakira, Cookie Monster knew BTS would be smoother than butter onstage.

With the final match featuring the first-ever halftime show, the "Paradise" singer explained to Elmo what this milestone means.

"It's a chance to show how amazing all different kinds of humans are," he said. "Monster, aliens, it's one big family, really. And we get to raise some money for children's education."

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella/PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP via Getty Images/Buda Mendes/Getty Images

Bieber, who was added to the lineup on July 8, is thrilled to be bringing "the world together" with the massive production.

"I'm grateful to be part of this Halftime Show," he said in a statement obtained by E! News July 8, "and even more grateful knowing it's already helping expand access to education for children around the world."

Madonna is more than ready to express herself for a great cause, which she described as "deeply meaningful" to her.

"Without education, children are denied opportunity before they even have a chance," she continued in the May FIFA press release. "Every child deserves access to a quality learning—because education expands possibilities and creates lasting change."

Jon Kopaloff/WireImage

BTS—which includes members Jung Kook, J-Hope, Suga, Jin, Jimin, RM and V—are ready to spark dynamite for the initiative. As they emphasized in the announcement, "Music is the universal language of hope and harmony."

Meanwhile, Shakira shared a glimpse into her setlist, adding that she will be singing her and Burna Boy's new song "Dai Dai," which she wrote for the World Cup.

"I've spent my life doing two things—making songs and building schools. At the FIFA World Cup, those two paths come together," she said in the release. "My hope is that on the world's biggest stage, the importance of investing in children's education steals the show!"

While fans wait to see the game-winning halftime show, keep reading all the celebs at the FIFA World Cup.

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