Ellie Goulding brought her signature enthusiasm to the FIFA World Cup, announcing on July 10 that she would perform during halftime of England’s quarterfinal against Norway.
The British pop star shared the news on Instagram with photos of herself wearing an England jersey and jumping on her bed.
“Performing at the @fifaworldcup quarter final for England vs Norway has me feeling like truly anything could happen…” she wrote, referencing her 2012 hit “Anything Could Happen.”
Goulding also made her support for England clear. “I already know the boys will make England proud, it’s coming home,” she added, invoking the famous English soccer chant.
She performed as scheduled at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Saturday, July 11, opening the pregame festivities with “Outside” before returning at halftime to perform her 2010 hit “Lights” on a stage built into the stadium stands.
England’s road to the semifinalsÂ
England reached the quarterfinals with a 3-2 victory over co-host Mexico, while Norway advanced to its first World Cup quarterfinal after defeating Brazil 2-1 behind two goals from Erling Haaland.
The quarterfinal lived up to Goulding’s prediction, with England defeating Norway 2-1 to secure a semifinal berth. Jude Bellingham scored both goals for England.
England’s knockout-stage run has been anything but straightforward. The team needed a late rescue from captain Harry Kane in the round of 32 against Congo DR before overcoming Mexico 3-2 in the round of 16 despite playing with 10 men.
A World Cup final built for pop spectacle
Goulding’s halftime performance marked the tournament’s first show of its kind, ahead of a larger production planned for the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, Coldplay and BTS are scheduled to perform during the final’s halftime show. Although originally planned to last 15 minutes, the performance may be extended, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino promising a show worthy of the sport’s biggest stage.
The winner of England’s semifinal against Argentina will advance to the July 19 final, where it will face the winner of the opposite bracket.
Goulding’s history with England’s football campaignsÂ
Goulding has supported England through previous tournaments as well. After the team advanced during the 2018 World Cup, she teased fans with what appeared to be “new music,” only to reveal a video of herself singing “Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home),” the 1996 anthem by David Baddiel, Frank Skinner and the Lightning Seeds that has become synonymous with England soccer.
She is not the only British pop star backing the Three Lions this tournament. Oasis’ Liam Gallagher predicted an England victory, saying the team has “gotta make it happen.”
Ed Sheeran also visited England’s training camp in Kansas City, Missouri, continuing his tradition of performing for the squad. Speaking about the team’s chances, he said, “Anyone can win and I think it’ll be us.”
New music on the horizonÂ
Goulding’s World Cup appearance comes ahead of the release of her sixth studio album, I Know Too Much. The album follows her 2023 U.K. No. 1 release, Higher Than Heaven.
Last month, she released the single “Black Prada Dress,” which she said “sets the tone” for the album. Explaining its theme, she said, “The album came from the idea that maybe we can know too much. There is a certain kind of freedom in the ease of not knowing.”
She debuted the song at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sunderland in May before performing it on Later… with Jools Holland.
In 2025, Goulding released the single “Destiny,” saying it was inspired by the heartbreak and unanswered questions following her divorce. “It was a marriage, not just a relationship,” she told NME. “I didn’t know what else to do other than make music.”
That same year, Goulding was honored with an MBE, an occasion she marked by praising women working to protect the climate.
