Colombian pop star Shakira is preparing for a prominent return to the global football stage, having been named as a key performer for the Fifa World Cup half-time show in New York. She is set to join an array of internationally recognised artists for the highly anticipated event.
The acclaimed musician will perform alongside Canadian pop sensation Justin Bieber, iconic artist Madonna, and the globally renowned K-pop ensemble BTS. This star-studded gathering is scheduled for the tournament’s first-ever, Super Bowl-style half-time spectacle.
The performance is slated for 19 July, promising an 11-minute set of global entertainment. The event will also feature Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay, and the beloved Sesame Street muppets. The entire production is designed to support the Fifa Global Citizen Education Fund.
Shakira’s World Cup Presence
Shakira’s involvement marks a notable return to the World Cup stage, as she was among the performers who helped open the tournament across the three North American host nations. Her participation in the half-time show further solidifies her presence at this major international competition.
For this upcoming performance, the Colombian pop star will once again share the stage with Nigerian musician Burna Boy. Their global hit, ‘Dai Dai’, has proven to be a resounding success, dominating music charts and becoming a consistent fixture at matches since the tournament officially launched on 11 June.
Half-Time Show Details and Charitable Aim
The Fifa half-time show has been specifically curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, ensuring a distinctive and impactful presentation. This creative direction aims to enhance the spectacle for a global audience.
The primary objective of the show is to raise money for the Fifa Global Citizen Education Fund. This fund is an ambitious initiative with the clear goal of raising an impressive $100m, equivalent to £73m, specifically for children worldwide. The musical performances serve as a high-profile platform to draw attention and contributions to this vital global cause.
Justin Bieber, a major draw for the half-time show, offered his perspective on the unique ability of the event to foster unity. He stated clearly that: “The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can.”
His appearance follows a significant return to live performance earlier in the year. The Yukon and Peaches singer had previously returned to the stage with a nostalgia-fuelled set at the Coachella festival in California.
This Coachella performance marked his biggest live show in four years, occurring after he cancelled his Justice world tour due to health issues. During much of the April gig, the 32-year-old artist was seen sitting in front of a laptop. He sang to YouTube music videos of his older hits, which included well-known tracks such as Baby, Never Say Never, One Time, and Beauty and the Beat.
Tournament Quarter Finals Underway
While the half-time show gears up, the Fifa World Cup tournament itself continues to progress. The biggest-ever competition originally kicked off with 48 teams, playing across host nations Mexico, Canada and the US.
However, the national teams representing all three of these host nations have since been eliminated from the competition. Eight teams now remain as the quarter finals are set to resume, promising intense matches for football fans across the globe.
The upcoming quarter-final fixtures begin on Thursday when France are scheduled to meet Morocco in Boston. Following this, Spain and Belgium will face off in Los Angeles on Friday, in another highly anticipated match.
Saturday’s schedule features two significant encounters: Norway and England are set to meet in Miami, promising a compelling contest. Meanwhile, defending world champion Argentina will play Switzerland in Kansas City, also on Saturday.
Golden Boot Race Intensifies
In the individual battle for the tournament’s top scorer award, Argentina’s Lionel Messi currently leads the Golden Boot race with an impressive eight goals. Messi has already achieved several historical milestones over the past weeks of the competition, further cementing his legacy.
He is closely pursued by France’s Kylian Mbappé and Norway’s Erling Haaland, both of whom have seven goals to their name. England’s Harry Kane is also firmly in contention, having netted six goals so far in the tournament, making the Golden Boot race a compelling watch.
The forthcoming half-time show, featuring Shakira and a host of international stars, aims to underscore the World Cup’s uniting power while contributing to a vital global education fund, bringing together sport and philanthropy on a grand scale.