Burna Boy headlines first-ever World Cup final show

Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Burna Boy is set to take Afrobeats to football’s biggest stage after being announced as one of the headline performers for the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show.

FIFA confirmed on Wednesday that Burna Boy will join a star-studded lineup featuring global music icons including Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and South Korean group BTS for the historic 11-minute performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

The groundbreaking show will take place on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium, introducing a new entertainment tradition to the World Cup final similar to the famous Super Bowl halftime spectacle.

Burna Boy’s appearance marks another major milestone for Nigerian music, placing an African artist at the centre of one of the world’s most watched sporting events.

The singer said he was honoured to represent Africa on the historic stage, describing the opportunity as both a privilege and a responsibility.

“The FIFA World Cup is one of the few moments that truly brings the entire world together. To represent Africa on the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show is a privilege and a responsibility that I don’t take lightly,” Burna Boy said.

The performance will also support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aimed at expanding access to education and football opportunities for children around the world.

The show, curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, will feature additional performances from British rock band Coldplay, the PS22 Chorus and renowned Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the historic halftime show would use football’s biggest platform to promote education and unite people across the world.

“When it comes to what the world needs, there is nothing more important than education,” Infantino said.