Justin Bieber joins Madonna, Shakira, BTS for World Cup final halftime show

The first-ever World Cup final halftime show, scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, now includes Justin Bieber as the fourth headliner, joining Madonna, Shakira, and BTS. The 11-minute Super Bowl-style performance, curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin, will also feature Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the PS22 Chorus with Coldplay, and characters from Sesame Street and the Muppets. Source: AP News, BBC, euronews

• The show supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, aiming to raise $100 million for children's education worldwide, with $1 from every ticket sold donated to the fund. Source: euronews, CNA
• FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the show will be "definitely the biggest stage ever" with "a couple of billion" expected to tune in. Source: Al Jazeera, CNA
• The 11-minute performance has raised concerns about the halftime duration, as football laws allow a break of no more than 15 minutes. A previous trial at the Club World Cup extended the break to over 24 minutes. Source: Al Jazeera, CNA
• Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans called it "the single largest gathering of artists united for a cause since Live Aid," potentially the most-watched 11 minutes in broadcast music history. Source: euronews, Al Jazeera

Justin Bieber expressed gratitude for performing and supporting the education fund, stating, "The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can." Source: BBC, AP