Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Burna Boy has been announced as one of the performers at the inaugural FIFA World Cup final halftime show, joining an international lineup that includes Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Coldplay, and other global stars.
FIFA announced on Wednesday that a historic 11-minute halftime performance will take place during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
Justin Bieber will co-headline the groundbreaking event alongside Madonna, Shakira, and South Korean musical sensation BTS, marking the first time in tournament history that the final will feature a Super Bowl-style halftime show.
Speaking on the announcement, 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.”
The roster also features Afrobeats pioneer Burna Boy, renowned Venezuelan conductor and New York Philharmonic music director Gustavo Dudamel, and the award-winning PS22 Chorus—a choir of fourth and fifth graders from Staten Island—who will deliver a special collaborative performance alongside British rock group Coldplay.
Burna Boy’s Rise in The Soccer Industry…
Burna Boy’s confirmation for the inaugural FIFA World Cup final halftime show marks another milestone in the global rise of Afrobeats and Nigerian music.
The Grammy-winning singer has spent the past few years cementing his status as one of Africa’s biggest exports, headlining sold-out concerts at venues such as London’s Wembley Stadium and the Paris La Défense Arena, while also becoming the first African artist to headline a U.S. stadium.
He has also delivered acclaimed performances at major international events, including the UEFA Champions League Kick-Off Show and the NBA All-Star Game, further expanding his global appeal.
Read Also: Shakira and Burna Boy to Headline World Cup Opening Ceremony
Backstory…
Meanwhile, his latest win comes just few days after the artiste made history as the first African artist to surpass 50 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
The milestone was achieved on Monday, July 6, making him the first African act to reach the feat on the streaming platform.
Burna Boy’s impressive surge in listeners has been largely fuelled by his FIFA World Cup collaboration with Shakira, ‘Dai Dai,’ which has remained at the top of Spotify’s Global Top Songs chart for several.
The track has continued to shatter streaming records throughout the ongoing FIFA World Cup. It also helped Shakira reach 100 million monthly Spotify listeners for the first time in her career, making her only the second Latino artist after Bad Bunny to hit the milestone.
