JUSTIN BIEBER IS JOINING FIRST-EVER WORLD CUP FINAL HALF-TIME SHOW

Bieber is co-headlining the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show, joining Madonna, Shakira, BTS, and more

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FIFA officially has Bieber fever.

The World Cup governing body and the action platform Global Citizen announced July 8 that Justin Bieber will co-headline the World Cup final halftime show on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium. He'll share the stage with Madonna, Shakira, and BTS in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.

The 11-minute show will also feature Burna Boy, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus, the Staten Island elementary school choir, performing alongside Coldplay. The show is also set to feature Sesame Street characters, including Kermit, Miss Piggy, and other Muppets, as part of the broadcast's education-focused message. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin is curating the performance.

"The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can," Bieber said in a statement. "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."

The halftime show is the first of its kind in FIFA World Cup history. While major soccer events often include opening ceremonies or pre-match performances, FIFA is introducing a halftime performance for this year's final.

The show will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which is raising $100 million to expand access to education and soccer for children worldwide. According to Global Citizen, the fund has already raised more than $50 million. Throughout the tournament, $1 from every ticket sold to FIFA World Cup 2026 matches is being donated to the fund.

Bieber's addition expands a lineup that already included several major global artists. Madonna, Shakira, and BTS were previously announced as headliners for the show back in May, while Burna Boy brings another connection to the tournament through "Dai Dai," the official song of the 2026 World Cup, which he performs with Shakira.

"The FIFA World Cup is one of the few moments that truly brings the entire world together," Burna Boy said in a statement. "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."

The announcement has not been universally embraced, especially among soccer fans who already feel this World Cup has been "Americanized," especially with the addition of brand-sponsored hydration breaks that interrupt the usual rhythm of matches. Adding a Super Bowl-style performance in the middle of the New Jersey final feels, to some, like another step in that direction.

- Olivia Tauber

OF COURSE THE PHILLIES FANATICS HAD TO GET INTO THE FUN

 

CARDINALS DROP HILARIOUS 'COLDPLAY' POST AMID JUMBOTRON CONTROVERSY

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The post Cardinals drop hilarious ‘Coldplay’ post amid Jumbotron controversy appeared first on ClutchPoints.

A surreal moment captured at a Coldplay concert Wednesday has taken on a life of its own. Andy Byron went from an anonymous tech company CEO to a viral laughingstock after an alleged affair with his HR chief was exposed via jumbotron. Even the St. Louis Cardinals have joined in, adding their own Coldplay cheating scandal meme.

The Cardinals posted a photo of Albert Pujos hugging Adam Wainwright in the dugout during a game with the caption, “When Coldplay starts playing your song,” per the team’s official X account.

The image mimics Byron and Kristin Cabot, who were wrapped in an embrace during the band’s concert in Massachusetts when the camera happened to find them. Unlike Pujos and Wainwright, the pair immediately disengaged after realizing they were being shown on the venue’s jumbotron.

When Coldplay starts playing your song

Unable to literally make himself disappear, Byron ducked out of frame and did not return. Cabot covered her face with both hands and turned away from the camera. The strange and awkward moment became a fascinating train wreck when Coldplay frontman Chris Martin commented, “Uh-oh, what? Either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy.”

With no baseball games scheduled due to the All-Star break, the Cardinals’ social team dug deep into the photo vault and joined the fray. But the Pujos/Wainwright spin on the scandal was a nice touch, offering St. Louis fans a bit of nostalgia with their schadenfreude.

Cardinals aim for second-half playoff push

Despite an inconsistent first half, the Cardinals are 51-46 at the break. The team is 6.5 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs in the NL Central and just 1.5 games back in the Wild Card race.

After a surprisingly strong start to the season, the Cardinals could become buyers at the trade deadline. St. Louis GM John Mozeliak revealed that the team is interested in adding a right-handed bat to the lineup. However, he would prefer not to lose any of his top relievers in a deal.

Brendan Donovan was the Cardinals’ sole representative at the All-Star Game. The Gold Glove infielder had a solid first half, slashing .297/.367/.430 with eight home runs, 36 RBI, 51 runs scored, a 124 OPS+ and 2.9 bWAR in 89 games. He played in his first Midsummer Classic as a reserve behind starter Ketel Marte.

- Mike Gianakos

BARCELONA TO WEAR TRAVIS SCOTT LOGO ON SHIRTS FOR NEXT LA LIGA

Not Taylor Swift after all

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Barcelona are reportedly set to wear the logo of rapper Travis Scott on their shirts for the next La Liga Clasico with Real Madrid in May.

As part of their sponsorship deal with Spotify, Barca have worn cutomised shirts in recent Clasico clashes with their bitter rivals in the Spanish top flight.

Taylor Swift had been touted as being Barca’s ‘first choice’ for the next fixture in May, but the Catalans will go for Travis Scott instead, according to Ara.

Scott is therefore set to follow in the foosteps of Drake, Rosalía, The Rolling Stones, Karol G and Coldplay in featuring on Barca shirts for the iconic fixture.

The America rapper is one of the most popular artists on Spotify. He has more than 68 million monthly listeners, only Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Bruno Mars, Bad Bunny, Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish have more.

The game is due to take place on May 11 at Montjuic, with kick-off scheduled for 4.15pm local time.

- Barca Blaugranes Staff