Ellie Goulding Confirmed for England vs Norway World Cup Halftime Show; Chris Martin Curates Final Halftime Spectacle
British singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding will perform as the halftime guest at England's World Cup quarter-final against Norway, held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on July 11, 2026. Kickoff is at 5pm local time (10pm UK time), and Goulding announced the news herself on social media.
Halftime performance details
Goulding said performing at halftime makes her feel like "anything is possible," and posted words of support for the England squad. The performance is part of the tournament's first systematic effort to build out coordinated musical programming around matches.
Should England advance, they'll face the winner of Argentina vs Switzerland in the semi-final round on July 15 in Atlanta.
Final halftime show: Chris Martin curates, with BTS, Madonna, Justin Bieber
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has been enlisted to curate the halftime show for this year's FIFA World Cup final — the first time a halftime show has ever been staged at a World Cup final. The performance takes place July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium, with a confirmed lineup including:
- BTS
- Madonna
- Justin Bieber
- Conductor Gustavo Dudamel
- PS22 Chorus
- Characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets
The show and the tournament as a whole will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to provide children worldwide with access to education and football resources.
Goulding's sixth album, I Know Too Much, out in September
The halftime announcement comes as Goulding prepares to release her sixth studio album, I Know Too Much, set for release on September 4, 2026, featuring 10 tracks. The lead single, "Black Prada Dress," premiered at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend last month and has since been officially released. Goulding describes the album as "keeping a diary through music, being honest and putting everything together."