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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Lauren Del Fabbro and Ellie Muir

Ellie Goulding to perform during England v Norway World Cup quarter-final

British singer Ellie Goulding will perform at the England quarter-final game against Norway this Saturday.

Referring to her 2012 hit song, “Anything Could Happen”, the singer backed the England men’s team ahead of their quarter-final match on Saturday.

The 39-year-old posted a string of photographs sporting an England T-shirt while jumping on a bed.

She told her 13.1 million followers on Instagram: “Performing at the @fifaworldcup quarter final for England vs Norway has me feeling like truly anything could happen…

“I already know the boys will make England proud, it’s coming home.”

The Brit Award-winner is best known for the songs “Burn”, “Miracle” and “I Need Your Love” and has had four chart-topping albums in the UK, including her debut album Lights and her most recent offering, 2023’s Higher Than Heaven.

Goulding recently welcomed her second child with actor Beau Minniear, after giving birth to her first child, Arthur, in 2021, whom she had with her ex-husband, art dealer Caspar Jopling.

The performance comes ahead of the first World Cup final half-time show featuring a star-studded lineup including Madonna, Shakira and South Korean boy band BTS.

Justin Bieber, Madonna and Coldplay will perform at the World Cup final half-time show (AFP/Getty)
Justin Bieber, Madonna and Coldplay will perform at the World Cup final half-time show (AFP/Getty)

“Baby” singer Justin Bieber will also take to the stage, after he was announced as a recent addition to the bill earlier this week, along with Nigerian artist Burna Boy, who will perform during the 11-minute broadcast at the interval, alongside Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the PS 22 Chorus and Coldplay.

Burna Boy co-created this year’s official World Cup anthem, “Dai Dai,” with Shakira. The track blends Afrobeats and Latin rhythms into a global pop hit, with lyrics celebrating participating nations and renowned players like "Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia," and "Mexico, Japan, Korea, Netherlands."

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin is the curator of the landmark performance, which will take place on July 19 in New Jersey during the final match.

The event aims to support the Fifa Global Citizen Education Fund, which seeks to raise $100 million to enhance children's access to education and soccer worldwide.

While half-time entertainment is not commonplace in soccer, it is a major fixture for sports in the U.S., most notably during the Super Bowl.

Kick off for the England vs Norway quarter-final will be at 5pm ET and 10pm BST on Saturday.

With additional reporting from PA

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