Justin Bieber and Madonna set for World Cup final show - but the BBC won't show it
The FIFA World Cup final is set to feature a large half-time show, but most of the country tuning in will not be able to watch it
Justin Bieber has been confirmed as one of the co-headliners for the inaugural FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show on Sunday, July 19 - however, the BBC are set to ignore him and his musical colleagues. Instead, the Beeb are set to focus on analysing the action of the first half rather than cutting to the show.
Bieber will be one of the biggest names at the heart of the showpiece climax of the tournament, featuring alongside Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, and Coldplay, who have all committed to the half-time spectacular on July 19.
The glittering show, pencilled in for 11 minutes during the interval of the World Cup final, will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. However, those tuning into the final via the BBC will likely not be able to watch it
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According to The Times, the BBC are going to stick with their usual format of pre-game analysis, the first-half, analysis of the first-half and then the second half, instead of cutting to the half-time show. It's also understood ITV will follow a similar path.
All proceeds raised from the halftime show will be directed towards the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise £74.5million ($100 million) to broaden access to quality education and football for children across the globe. The fund has already amassed over £37.4m ($50million) and continues to grow, with $1 from every ticket sold for FIFA World Cup 2026 matches being donated throughout the tournament, reports the Mirror US.
Having been personally selected for the honour, Bieber said in a statement: "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."
After breaking the news on Instagram, fans flooded the comments section with excitement ahead of his forthcoming performance. One supporter wrote, "Yes! Do your thing bro!"
Another fan added, "YESSSSSSS MY FAV CAN'T WAIT," While a third wrote, "THANK YOU, MY LORD JESUS CHRIST. NOW ANNOUNCE THE TOUR."
The announcement follows Bieber's appearance at the World Cup opening ceremony, with the star having keenly followed this year's tournament. Alongside his involvement in this year's show, he recently took to Instagram to rally behind his native Canada.
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Posting a picture of the team's football badge, the Baby hitmaker captioned it: "SEND YOUR LOVE AND PRAYERS TO TEAM CANADA. PLAYING NOW #fifaworldcup2026."
The performance marks Bieber's first outing on stage since his set at Coachella. The singer has previously stepped back from gruelling tour schedules following past health battles, including Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. His last full-scale concert tour was the Justice World Tour, which ran in 2022.
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