England’s World Cup quarter-final with Norway takes centre stage on Saturday night with an added bonus during the interval.
Thomas Tuchel’s side head to Miami hoping to book their place in Wednesday’s semi-final in Atlanta.
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The Three Lions can count on the support of 30,000 England fans at Hard Rock Stadium and they will have to do their part if they are to overcome Erling Haaland and Norway.
And now England can count on the support of another fan after it was confirmed that pop star Ellie Goulding is to perform during the half time interval.
Goulding, best known for songs such as ‘Love Me Like You Do’, ‘Burn’ and ‘Starry Eyed’ will take to the stage in front of over 65,000 fans.
The star made the announcement on her Instagram page on Friday accompanied by a picture of her wearing a football shirt.
The caption on her post referenced the words ‘Anything Could Happen’ – the name of her hit song released in 2012.
Goulding has earned rave reviews and a host of music accolades throughout her career.
She has clocked up most No1 albums for a British female artist alongside Adele and has also set the record for most songs in the Billboard Hot 100 with 14.
Goulding’s social media announcement
Goulding’s announcement read: “Performing at half-time 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.”
Goulding will soon release her sixth studio album titled ‘I Know Too Much’. It comes after the singer’s success with her 2023 UK Number One album ‘Higher Than Heaven’.
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The World Cup has produced a host of musical crossovers so far with the half-time show set to take place during the final in New York on Sunday, July 19.
What other stars have graced the World Cup?
The opening ceremony in Mexico saw Shakira and Burna Boy close the show with J Balvin Ryan Castro performing a medley of songs.
Ahead of Canada’s clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Michael Buble performed in front of the capacity crowd before 1990s star Alanis Morissette sang the national anthem.
And in the United States, there were performances from Future, Tyla and Katy Perry.
More recently, fans were left stunned by an unforeseen half-time show during Switzerland’s last-16 win over Colombia.
Frontman Tom Cochrane along with band Rascal Flatts performed their 2006 hit song ‘Life is a Highway’ to the crowd in Vancouver.
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And on Friday night, Canadian pop star Tate McRae delivered the match ball ahead of Spain’s quarter-final win over Belgium.
Fans may or may not be happy to know that there is still more crossover to come, culminating in the finale consisting of Madonna, Shakira and K-pop band BTS.
And it was revealed this week that Justin Bieber will also appear during the final at Metlife Stadium.
Excitement is ramping up ahead of England’s meeting with Norway in Miami.
Both sides come into the game off the back of impressive wins in the round-of-16.
The Three Lions edged past Mexico 3-2 in the Azteca just hours before a Haaland-inspired Norway dumped five-time winners Brazil out of the tournament.
The winners of Saturday’s clash will face Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
