How the first-ever World Cup final halftime show plans to raise 100 million dollars for global education

For the first time in the history of the FIFA World Cup, the final will feature something fans of American sports know well - a halftime show.

But this isn’t just about entertainment. When the 2026 World Cup final kicks off at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, the halftime spectacle will double as a global fundraising platform, with the ambitious goal of raising $100 million to expand access to education and soccer for children around the world.

A halftime show with a global mission

The show is part of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a joint initiative between FIFA and Global Citizen aimed at improving access to quality education worldwide.

Rather than simply serving as a mid-match break, the halftime show has been designed as a centerpiece for awareness and action, using the World Cup’s unmatched global audience to mobilize support from governments, businesses, and individuals.

The World Cup final is expected to be one of the most-watched sporting events in history, and organizers see that scale as an opportunity to drive real-world impact far beyond the field.

A star-studded lineup to capture global attention

To match the magnitude of the moment, the halftime show will feature a global lineup of artists, including Madonna, Shakira, Burna Boy, BTS, Justin Bieber, and a special performance involving the PS 22 Chorus and Coldplay.

The show is being curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, whose involvement reflects the broader connection between Global Citizen and major music-driven advocacy events. The idea is to bring together some of the world’s biggest stars to create a cultural moment that draws attention, and then channel that attention into action.

How the $100 million goal will be reached

At the center of the initiative is the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million through a mix of philanthropic contributions, corporate partnerships, and public engagement. The campaign is designed to inspire commitments from major donors while also encouraging everyday fans to get involved through awareness campaigns and digital engagement tied to the event.

Funds raised will support grassroots education programs in more than 200 countries, with a portion also directed toward initiatives like Football for Schools, a FIFA and UNESCO-backed program that uses the sport to promote learning and life skills.

Why the World Cup is the perfect stage

The World Cup has always been about more than soccer. It is one of the few events capable of bringing together billions of people across cultures, languages, and borders.

Global Citizen, an organization focused on ending extreme poverty, has built its model around harnessing moments like this, combining entertainment, advocacy, and policy to drive measurable change. Over the past decade, the group says it has helped generate more than $50 billion in commitments impacting over a billion lives. The World Cup final now becomes its biggest stage yet.

This halftime show represents a change in how global sporting events are being used. It’s not just about adding spectacle. It’s about redefining what that platform can do.

By blending sport, music, and activism, FIFA and Global Citizen are betting that the 2026 final can be remembered not only for what happens on the field, but for what it helps achieve off it. And if the $100 million target is reached, the legacy of this first-ever halftime show may extend far beyond the final whistle.

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