Burna Boy, Justin Bieber, Shakira and Madonna are among the global stars set to perform at the inaugural FIFA World Cup final halftime show.

FIFA announced on Wednesday that the historic 11-minute show will take place during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

Justin Bieber will co-headline the performance alongside Madonna, Shakira and BTS, the South Korean boy band.

Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, the Venezuelan conductor and music and artistic director of the New York Philharmonic; and the Webby Award-winning PS22 Chorus featuring British rock band Coldplay will also perform.

The halftime show marks the first time a FIFA World Cup final will feature a Super Bowl-style entertainment performance. It is curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay and is aimed at supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.

Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, said the event will help advance access to education and football opportunities for children around the world.

“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 FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime 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,” he said.

“Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel and PS22 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 the 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.”

Rema, Burna Boy, and Davido earlier performed at various high-profile events at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a historic moment for Nigerian music on the global stage.

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Mikel Merino scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Spain defeated Portugal 1-0 to book their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Iberian derby at the Dallas Stadium looked destined for extra time before substitute Merino found the back of the net in the final minute of normal time, ending Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup dream.

The 41-year-old Ronaldo was in tears at the end of the match as another, and probably his final, opportunity to win the elusive crown jewel of a trophy slipped away.

Portugal’s forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after losing the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Portugal and Spain at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on July 6, 2026. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP)

The fixture was entirely cagey, mostly a listless match, in which Spain was content to control the tempo, with little final-third action from either team.

After Mikel Oyazabal failed to convert a glorious chance in the seventh minute, the next impressive attacking action was in the 41st minute, when Nuno Mendes unleashed a thunderous effort which deflected off Pedro Porro and beat Unai Simón, only to rattle the crossbar.

As the second half progressed, clear-cut opportunities remained at a premium. Martinez attempted to inject fresh energy into the Portuguese squad, swapping out Nuno Mendes and João Cancelo for Nélson Semedo and Diogo Dalot. Later, Rafael Leão and Bernardo Silva were thrown into the mix to try and wrestle midfield control from the stubborn Spanish midfield.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JULY 06: Mikel Merino #6 of Spain scores his team’s first goal against Diogo Costa #1 of Portugal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. Lars Baron/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Lars Baron / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Yet it was Luis de la Fuente’s substitutions that made the difference. In the 84th minute, the Spain manager introduced Mikel Merino for
Dani Olmo, a change designed to reinforce the midfield.

With the referee signalling heavily towards extra time, Spain launched one final attack in the 90th minute. Merino positioned himself brilliantly inside the box to drill home the decider.

Spain will now advance to the quarter-finals, where they await the winners of the match between the United States and Belgium.

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England narrowly escaped a historic upset in the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, fighting back from a goal down to defeat a resilient DR Congo 2-1 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The Leopards stunned the Three Lions early in the match, opening the scoring in the 7th minute when Brian Cipenga drilled a low shot past Jordan Pickford after a far-post defensive error.

DR Congo’s disciplined low block and exceptional goalkeeping from Lionel Mpasi frustrated Thomas Tuchel’s side for most of the match, keeping England off the scoresheet by halftime.

England’s second-half structural adjustments and substitutions injected life into the attack. In the 75th minute, Anthony Gordon, a substitute, floated a precise cross from the left wing, allowing
captain Harry Kane to glance a header into the net for the equaliser.

With extra time looming, Kane struck again in the 86th minute, collecting the ball on the edge of the area, pivoting, and unleashing a brilliant strike into the top right corner to seal the victory.

With the 2-1 comeback win, England preserves Thomas Tuchel’s unbeaten competitive record and advances to the round of 16, where they are scheduled to face co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca.

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Iran has tackled the United States, one of the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosts, for allegedly denying the country’s officials visa for the tournament.

Iran is set to participate in their seventh World Cup, but an ongoing conflict with the US has seen their impending participation take twists and turns.

The Persians previously threatened to boycott the mundial and requested its matches moved to Mexico, while FIFA moved to assure their participation.

However, the strained relations took another turn, with report that some officials of the team were denied entry documents.

This has evoked a strong response from the Iranian embassy in South Africa, as the consulate took to its X page to call out the US government. It argued that Iran is a guest of FIFA while labelling the US an
“incompetent host”.

“The incompetent @FIFAWorldCup host, USA, is failing to fulfill its responsibilities properly,” the post reads.

“We are guests of @FIFAcom, and it is FIFA’s responsibility
to ensure that visas for all members are issued.”

The incompetent @FIFAWorldCup host, USA, is failing to fulfill its responsibilities properly.
We are guests of @FIFAcom, and it is FIFA’s responsibility to ensure that visas for all members are issued.
US Denies Visas to Iran National Football Team Officials Ahead of World…

— Iran Embassy SA (@IraninSA) June 6, 2026

According to Reuters, the full contingent will continue to Mexico from where outstanding visa issues are expected to be resolved before entering the US.

Iran, in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand, will play their group matches in the US.

Their final group match against Egypt is set for Washington.

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The Confederation of African Football, Confederation of African Football, says it has introduced new regulations following the controversy that overshadowed the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final in Morocco, with president Patrice Motsepe admitting that “deficiencies” in officiating and match management contributed to the chaotic ending.

The final, held in Rabat, saw Senegal initially declared champions after a 1–0 extra-time win over Morocco. However, the result was later overturned by a CAF appeal board, with the title awarded to Morocco following disciplinary rulings tied to Senegal’s protest walk-off after a late VAR penalty decision.

The match also drew widespread criticism due to security clashes inside the stadium and accusations of unsportsmanlike behaviour, including incidents dubbed “towelgate,” where Senegal’s goalkeeper was reportedly interfered with by ball boys and opposing personnel.

Speaking to BBC Sport Africa on Wednesday, Motsepe said CAF had carried out an internal review of the incidents.

“We’ve done good work in terms of building the confidence and the trust amongst the football community of our referees and of our VAR.

“But there are still these challenges, and we’ve recognised what the deficiencies were that led to the unfortunate incidents we had in Morocco.

“We’ve introduced new laws, new regulations which will ensure that doesn’t happen again,” he said.

Motsepe added that CAF is still working to strengthen officiating standards and VAR consistency across the continent.

“We are continuing to improve the system, because African football must be judged by the highest standards of fairness and integrity,” he said.

The controversy has continued to generate debate across the football world, with critics arguing that the handling of the final damaged CAF’s credibility. Former footballer Nigel Reo-Coker said the situation had wider consequences for the continent’s image in global football.

“It gives other federations around the world an opportunity to laugh at CAF, to laugh at the Africa Cup of Nations, and laugh at Africa as a continent because of how this whole situation has been handled,” he said.

The Senegal Football Federation has described the decision to strip Senegal of the title as a “robbery” and has taken the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Court of Arbitration for Sport, where a final ruling is still pending.

Motsepe confirmed that CAF will respect the outcome of the legal process.

“We are waiting for the judgment of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and African football is continuing to grow and develop,” he said. “Whatever decision comes, we will respect and implement.”

CAF says the newly introduced measures are aimed at improving VAR governance, strengthening security coordination, and ensuring clearer disciplinary procedures to prevent a repeat of the incidents that marred the final.

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President Bola Tinubu has approved Nigeria’s proposed bid to host the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony.

According to a statement by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Tinubu also endorsed Nigeria’s proposal to host the CAF’s 48th Ordinary General Assembly later this year.

Tinubu announced the approvals at the ongoing Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, following a meeting with Patrice Motsepe, CAF president.

Other dignitaries at the meeting include Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the foreign minister; Samson Adamu, the acting CAF general secretary; Ibrahim Gusau, the NFF president; and Amaju Pinnick, the special adviser to the CAF president.

The CAF Ordinary General Assembly is scheduled for October and brings together leading figures in African football, including presidents
of the confederation’s 54 member associations, representatives from the six
zonal unions, and senior football officials from across the continent.

The CAF Awards is an annual showpiece event that rewards the continent’s best footballers and stakeholders.

Nigeria last hosted the award gala on January 6, 2017, when Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez won the men’s best player award, and Asisat Oshoala won the women’s prize.

CAF is expected to make a final decision on the host city for both events soon.

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Barcelona coach Hansi Flick’s father has died ahead of the Clasico, the Catalan club said in a statement released on Sunday.

“Barcelona and the entire Blaugrana family wish to convey our affection to Hansi Flick over the passing of his father,” said Barcelona.

“We share his pain and stand with him during this very difficult time for him and his family.”

Flick, 61, is on the verge of securing back-to-back La Liga titles with Barcelona.

The German coach’s team lead Real Madrid by 11 points with four matches remaining and can secure the trophy if they avoid defeat by Los Blancos at Camp Nou on Sunday.

If Barcelona win their last four league games this season, starting with the battle against Alvaro Arbeloa’s fracturing Madrid in Catalonia, they will match the all-time league record of 100 points.

Should Barca beat Madrid and then Real Betis the following weekend, they will become the first team to win all their home matches in a 38-game La Liga season.

The tension around Madrid after a season in which they will finish without a trophy for just the fifth time this century burst to the surface in extraordinary fashion this week.

AFP

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Nigerian Afrobeats sensation, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has been named among an all-star lineup of global music stars set to headline the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.

Joining him on stage at the Los Angeles Stadium are South African star Tyla, American rapper Future, pop icon Katy Perry, Brazilian singer Anitta and BLACKPINK member LISA.

FIFA disclosed this in a statement posted on its official handle on Saturday.

According to the football governing body, three opening ceremonies will be held separately across the three host countries, with the United States’ celebration scheduled for Friday, June 12, 2026.

The ceremonies will also hold on June 11 in Mexico City and on June 12 in Toronto, Canada.

FIFA said the celebration would combine football, music and entertainment in what it described as a “historic summer” across the North American countries.

“For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, a new benchmark will be set as three spectacular opening ceremonies unfold across Mexico City (11 June), Toronto and Los Angeles (12 June), as Canada, Mexico and the United States come together to launch the greatest show on earth,” the statement read.

It added, “Global superstars Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla will headline the celebrations in Los Angeles, with additional world-renowned artists still to be announced.

“Together, they will bring the sound of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to life for a global audience, delivering a high-energy spectacle that reflects the scale, ambition and cultural power of the tournament itself,” it added.

The organisation also stated that the Los Angeles ceremony would begin 90 minutes before kick-off, with fans encouraged to arrive early for pre-match entertainment and activities.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the lineup reflected the cultural diversity of the United States and the unifying power of music.

“This opening ceremony in Los Angeles represents the extraordinary scale of what the FIFA World Cup 2026 will become.

“The lineup of artists reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and the vibrancy of its many diasporas, highlighting the nation’s rich influence on music, entertainment and pop culture, while showcasing the power of music to bring people together across the country,” Infantino said.

FIFA also announced that the ceremony would be produced in partnership with Balich Wonder Studio and would feature large-scale visuals, immersive storytelling and live performances centred around the FIFA World Cup Trophy.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature a record 104 matches across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The tournament will begin on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City and end with the final on July 19, 2026, at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

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