Justin Bieber was recently observed smoking a cigar while playing golf in The Hamptons, just days before his scheduled performance at the FIFA World Cup halftime show. The 32-year-old Canadian artist was seen indulging in the cigar without apparent concern for its impact on his voice. He was dressed in navy trousers and a short-sleeved white shirt, complemented by black leather sneakers with white soles. His hair was short and buzzed, and he sported a scruffy beard.
Bieber was announced earlier this month as one of the entertainers for the World Cup halftime show, which is set to take place this Sunday, July 19, in New York. He will join headliners Madonna, Shakira, and BTS. The 11-minute production will also feature Afrobeats star Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin curated the show, which will occur during the final at MetLife Stadium.
The performance aims to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative seeking to raise $100 million for children's access to education and soccer. Bieber expressed his gratitude for being part of the event, stating in a press release, "The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can. 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."
This appearance marks a significant moment in Bieber's career comeback, which gained momentum following the release of his album "Swag" in July 2025 and a deluxe version with 23 additional songs a month later. He also performed an acoustic rendition of his hit song "Yukon" at the 2026 Grammy Awards in February. In April, Bieber captivated audiences with back-to-back headlining performances at the Coachella festival in Indio, California. He reportedly became the highest-paid act in Coachella's history, with an eight-figure payout exceeding $10 million. Negotiations for his Coachella appearance were handled directly with the festival's promoter, Goldenvoice, and sources indicated his fee surpassed $5 million per weekend. His direct negotiation without an agent significantly increased his profit from the engagement.