FIFA World Cup / X@fifamedia

Can umpiring flare-ups, VAR wrangling, administrative interference and denial of equal opportunities to one or more of the participating nations in the ongoing FIFA World Cup be drowned out by a music program that FIFA proposes for the final match of the tournament?

FIFA said Wednesday that "football, music and social impact will come together in the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show on Sunday, July 19, at New York New Jersey Stadium."

While FIFA claims that besides organizing the world's biggest single-sport mega-event in three countries simultaneously, it also remains committed to its "mission to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children around the world."

The ongoing FIFA World Cup, however, has been rife with various controversies, including discrimination or denial of equal participatory rights to participating nations, besides umpiring and officiating controversies, alleged VAR wrangling and direct interference by U.S. President Donald Trump over the suspension of a red-card penalty for an American player.

Iran, Croatia, Egypt and Belgium, among others, have reasons to feel that "all was not well during the FIFA World Cup 2026." They have their reasons to feel aggrieved. Their grievances cannot be mitigated by a halftime music show during the final game.

The game, they feel, comes first, and rules should be the same for everyone, irrespective of the region, nationality or ethnicity of a team.

The Round of 32 witnessed violent protests by spectators who threw water bottles inside Toronto Stadium during the Portugal-Croatia match after a Croatian goal was disallowed by a VAR ruling. There may have been a technicality involved, but to spectators, it appeared to be a "subjective" VAR intervention to deny Croatia the equalizer.

Egyptians also went away unhappy as they protested both the denial of a goal on the grounds of a foul earlier in the play and a possible penalty when their star player, Mohd Salah, was fouled in the Argentine penalty box.

Belgium could not hold back its disappointment over the suspension of the red-card punishment given to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun for the Round of 16 match. Some other European teams, including Norway, also expressed their displeasure over the "red card" decision that was believed to have been influenced by U.S. President Donald Trump's intervention.

FIFA would do well to keep its organizational processes transparent in the public domain rather than allegedly taking shelter behind its own designed tools and rules. Cultural and music events are important, and they are cherished more if the participants are convinced of "fair play" and FIFA's own slogan, "Football unites."

Back to the halftime show. The highlights of the program, FIFA says, include Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel and PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay, all set to perform during the break.

"More than $50 million has already been raised, which includes $1 from every ticket sold to FIFA World Cup matches being donated to support social projects around the world.

"FIFA and Global Citizen are pleased to announce that global superstar Justin Bieber has joined as co-headliner of the historic FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show, taking place on Sunday, July 19.

"Justin Bieber joins Madonna, Shakira and BTS as co-headliners for the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show, bringing together some of the world's biggest artists for a landmark celebration at the intersection of sport, music and global impact.

"Burna Boy, whose global smash hit 'Dai Dai' with Shakira continues to dominate charts worldwide, will also appear during the 11-minute broadcast, alongside Gustavo Dudamel, the internationally acclaimed Venezuelan conductor and music and artistic director of the New York Philharmonic, and the Webby Award-winning PS 22 Chorus featuring Coldplay.

"When it comes to what the world needs, there is nothing more important than education. We are proud to have Justin Bieber joining Madonna, Shakira and BTS to co-headline the show in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund and our mission to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children around the world," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

"Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel and PS 22 Chorus featuring Coldplay will also join and play a key role in conveying a powerful message of unity and hope to billions of people worldwide. As the world unites for the most significant football match in history on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at New York New Jersey Stadium, this groundbreaking spectacle, curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay, will celebrate football, music and our shared values, ensuring a legacy that transcends the final whistle.

"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," said Justin Bieber.

"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. I'm honored to be part of a performance that not only celebrates football and culture but also helps create greater opportunities for children through education around the world," added Burna Boy.

Characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets, who have brought joyful learning to children around the world for generations, will be part of the show. Their inclusion reinforces the purpose of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show: to help ensure children around the world have access to quality education.

The FIFA show is being produced by Global Citizen in partnership with Live Nation and Done + Dusted. In a short film announcing the performers, Coldplay's Chris Martin unveiled the star-studded lineup and said that the show will be "all about togetherness ... and everyone's invited."

In May 2026, FIFA and Global Citizen announced the first group of organizations to receive grants from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, supporting programs that provide access to education and football for children in underserved communities across 10 countries.

By supporting proven, community-led models that combine education, sport and local engagement, the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund seeks to broaden access to learning, improve educational outcomes and create pathways to opportunity for children in some of the world's most underserved communities.

The nonfiduciary FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund Advisory Board includes FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Global Citizen Co-Founder and CEO Hugh Evans, Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira, Australian actor Hugh Jackman, U.S. businesswoman and entrepreneur Ivanka Trump, Canadian singer-songwriter The Weeknd, U.S. tennis great Serena Williams, Brazilian football legend Kaká and Bank of America Co-President Jim DeMare.

Additionally, through FIFA's Unite for Education campaign, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is showcasing the tournament-wide power of football to expand access to education and create a lasting impact beyond the pitch. Featured during the Round of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals, players will wear the "Unite for Education" sleeve patch to raise awareness of the initiative.

Discover more at New India Abroad.