The lineup for the first-ever FIFA World Cup Half Time Show has been revealed, with curator Chris Martin getting some surprising help for the announcement.
Until now, details have been kept under wraps about plans for the final, which is set to take place on July 19 at New York’s MetLife Stadium.
Hoping to rival the NFL’s famed Super Bowl Halftime Show, the show will see BTS, Shakira and Madonna take to the stage.
In a video shared on Instagram, the Coldplay frontman sat with Sesame Street’s Elmo and discussed how he wanted to create a performance to promote unity.
‘What’s a half-time show?’ Elmo asked Chris, prompting him to explain they were hoping to raise money to fund children’s education through one big gig.
Advocacy platform Global Citizen is organising the production in connection with their ongoing partnership with FIFA.
‘It’s where people get together and there’s singing, and there’s dancing, and there’s music,’ Chris shared of this historic show.
‘And it’s a chance to show how amazing all different kinds of humans are. But this show is more about we than me. I mean, it’s about togetherness.’
Fellow muppet stars Cookie Monster, Animal, Kermit and the legendary Miss Piggy all had cameos to help Chris reveal the big names set to perform.
Shakira is not only performing but she will also release an official anthem for this year’s World Cup, titled Dai Dai, which means ‘Let’s Go’.
The track comes 16 years after she released Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) when the tournament was held in South Africa.
Madonna’s involvement comes as she announces her long-awaited record, Confessions II, suggesting she’s planning a big album rollout.
Meanwhile, BTS are returning after a long break with this announcement sending their famously dedicated fans into overdrive.
‘Worlds colliding and I’m here for it,’ wrote Stephanie Tea in the Instagram comment as Erigor added: ‘Something crazy is cooking.’
Metro spoke to Global Citizen’s director of artist engagement, Anthony Alfano, about orchestrating the big day with an environmental focus.
‘We’re looking at every aspect,’ Anthony shared. ‘Chris and Coldplay have been pioneers in reducing the environmental and carbon footprints on their tour.
‘We’re really taking a lead from them in terms of how it’s being incorporated into the World Cup.’
The first two years of Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres tour claimed it saw a 59% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, compared to the band’s previous world tour.
‘A lot of those elements will be part of [the FIFA show],’ Anthony shared. ‘In terms of how we’re looking at reducing carbon footprints and offsetting as much as possible where possible, in the lead-up but also on the day.’
The FIFA World Cup kicks off on Thursday, June 11, culminating on July 19 with the big final – when Madonna, Shakira and BTS will take centre stage.
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