FIFA and Global Citizen will use the 2026 World Cup final halftime show to raise money for the Global Citizen Education Fund [1].
The initiative leverages one of the world's most-watched sporting events to address global educational gaps. By integrating a massive fundraising drive into the tournament's climax, organizers aim to convert global viewership into tangible financial support for children.
The event is scheduled for July 19, 2026 [2], at MetLife Stadium, also referred to as the New York-New Jersey Stadium [3]. This marks a significant shift in how FIFA integrates entertainment and philanthropy into the tournament's final match.
Organizers said the target fundraising amount for the Global Citizen Education Fund is $100 million [1]. These funds are intended to support children worldwide during the course of the tournament [1].
The partnership between FIFA and the Global Citizen Education Fund seeks to utilize the high-profile nature of the final to mobilize resources. The halftime show will serve as the primary vehicle for this campaign, combining live performance with a call to action for donors.
While the match focuses on the championship title, the halftime spectacle is designed to ensure the tournament leaves a legacy beyond the pitch. The scale of the $100 million goal reflects the anticipated reach of the broadcast and the influence of the participating artists [1].
“The target fundraising amount for the Global Citizen Education Fund is $100 million”
This move signals a strategic pivot by FIFA to incorporate a structured philanthropic model into its flagship event. By partnering with Global Citizen, FIFA is shifting the halftime show from a purely commercial entertainment break to a social impact platform, attempting to leverage the massive global audience of the World Cup to meet specific humanitarian funding targets.
