For the first time ever, the FIFA World Cup final will pause its interval for a Super Bowl-style halftime show featuring Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, and more — but BBC viewers won't see a second of it. The 11-minute spectacle, curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin, is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and aims to raise money for global education. But its arrival has sparked debate about how broadcasters handle the pause in play.
The show is a new addition to the World Cup final. Unlike the Super Bowl, which has made halftime performances a cultural event in their own right, football finals have traditionally used the interval for analysis. This year, FIFA has assembled a lineup that includes Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus from Staten Island, and Coldplay. Characters from Sesame Street and Muppets Kermit and Miss Piggy are also slated to appear. The show is expected to last 11 minutes, during which play is paused.
“What is the World Cup final halftime show and why won't the BBC show it?”
Why create a halftime show now? FIFA is using the event to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million (£74.5 million) to improve children's access to education and soccer worldwide. So far, $50 million has been raised, partly from $1 of every ticket sold for World Cup 2026 matches. The show itself is a fundraising vehicle: all proceeds go to the fund. Justin Bieber said, "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." Burna Boy, who co-created the official World Cup anthem "Dai Dai" with Shakira, called it "a privilege and a responsibility" to represent Africa.
For UK readers, the key twist is that neither the BBC nor ITV plan to broadcast the halftime show. According to reports, the BBC will stick to its usual format: pre-game analysis, first-half coverage, analysis of the first half, then the second half, skipping the show entirely. ITV is expected to follow suit. This means most UK viewers watching on free-to-air television will miss the performance, even though the match itself is being shown live. The decision has drawn criticism from fans who want to see the star-studded lineup, but broadcasters argue that their priority is football analysis, not entertainment.
Q: Who is performing at the World Cup final halftime show? The lineup includes Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus, Coldplay, and Muppets characters. The show is curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin.
Q: Why won't the BBC show the halftime show? The BBC plans to stick with its traditional format of analyzing the first half during the interval, rather than cutting to a musical performance. ITV is expected to do the same.
Q: How does the halftime show raise money for education? All proceeds from the show go to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to expand access to education and soccer for children worldwide. So far, $50 million has been raised, partly from ticket sales.
What happens next? The show will take place on July 19, 2026, during the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium. Whether UK broadcasters change their stance remains uncertain, but for now, viewers who want to see the full halftime spectacle may need to find alternative streams or hope that highlights are made available afterwards.