New York: Soccer’s biggest night on July 19 is set to become grander as NYC Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul are set to welcome thousands of fans during the FIFA World Cup final on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
Justin Bieber has officially joined the star-studded lineup for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final halftime show. The Canadian pop icon will perform with Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy and some other global stars during the World Cup final.
The performance marks FIFA’s first Super Bowl-style halftime show in the tournament’s history. Curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, the event is expected to be broadcast live to millions of viewers worldwide. It will also support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino reportedly said, “Madonna, Shakira and BTS are global icons whose music transcends borders and generations, and we are proud to welcome them to the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show, curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay.”
Meanwhile, Mayor Mamdani scored exclusive high-priced tickets to multiple World Cup matches for free, and some for heavily discounted rates, according to his team and multiple reports.
“Given the unique nature of the World Cup and the once-in-a-generation opportunity for New York City to serve as a host city, the mayor will attend select matches at (MetLife Stadium) in his official capacity to perform official functions as the chief executive of the host city,” Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec was quoted as saying in earlier reports, without being specific.
That matters politically in New York, where Mamdani campaigned heavily last year on affordability. Big sporting events have long relied on public infrastructure, public security and public disruption while increasingly becoming inaccessible to ordinary citizens.
