Ellie Goulding to perform at half-time of England vs Norway World Cup quarter-final: “Anything could happen”

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Ellie Goulding to perform at half-time of England vs Norway World Cup quarter-final: “Anything could happen”

Developed over time first seen 1 month ago

NME · 1 month ago

Norway
Norway
1
FIFA WC26
1-2
Finished
England
England
2

Squads
Norway squad
  • Full squad
  • 1 Orjan NYLAND
    Goalkeeper
  • 2 Morten Thorsby
    Midfielder
  • 3 Kristoffer AJER
    Defender
  • 4 Leo OSTIGARD
    Defender
  • 5 David MOLLER WOLFE
    Defender
  • 6 Patrick BERG
    Midfielder
  • 7 Alexander SORLOTH
    Forward
  • 8 Sander BERGE
    Midfielder
  • 9 Erling HAALAND
    Forward
  • 10 Martin ODEGAARD
    Midfielder
  • 11 Jorgen STRAND LARSEN
    Forward
  • 12 Sander TANGVIK
    Goalkeeper
  • 13 Egil SELVIK
    Goalkeeper
  • 14 Fredrik AURSNES
    Midfielder
  • 15 Fredrik Andre BJORKAN
    Defender
  • 16 Marcus HOLMGREN PEDERSEN
    Defender
  • 17 Torbjorn HEGGEM
    Defender
  • 18 Kristian Thorstvedt
    Midfielder
  • 19 Thelo AASGAARD
    Midfielder
  • 20 Antonio NUSA
    Forward
  • 21 Andreas SCHJELDERUP
    Midfielder
  • 22 Oscar BOBB
    Midfielder
  • 23 Jens Petter HAUGE
    Midfielder
  • 24 Sondre LANGAS
    Defender
  • 25 Henrik FALCHENER
    Defender
  • 26 Julian RYERSON
    Forward
England squad
  • Full squad
  • 1 Jordan PICKFORD
    Goalkeeper
  • 2 Ezri KONSA
    Defender
  • 3 Nico OREILLY
    Defender
  • 4 Declan RICE
    Midfielder
  • 5 John STONES
    Defender
  • 6 Marc GUEHI
    Defender
  • 7 Bukayo SAKA
    Forward
  • 8 Elliot ANDERSON
    Midfielder
  • 9 Harry KANE
    Forward
  • 10 Jude BELLINGHAM
    Midfielder
  • 11 Marcus RASHFORD
    Forward
  • 12 Trevoh CHALOBAH
    Defender
  • 13 Dean Henderson
    Goalkeeper
  • 14 Jordan HENDERSON
    Midfielder
  • 15 Dan BURN
    Defender
  • 16 Kobbie MAINOO
    Midfielder
  • 17 Morgan ROGERS
    Midfielder
  • 18 Anthony GORDON
    Forward
  • 19 Ollie WATKINS
    Forward
  • 20 Noni MADUEKE
    Forward
  • 21 Eberechi EZE
    Midfielder
  • 22 Ivan TONEY
    Forward
  • 23 James TRAFFORD
    Goalkeeper
  • 24 Reece JAMES
    Defender
  • 25 Djed SPENCE
    Defender
  • 26 Jarell QUANSAH
    Defender

Ellie Goulding is to perform during the half-time interval of England's 2026 World Cup quarter-final against Norway, sharing her excitement in an Instagram post ahead of the game. Writing that performing at the match had her "feeling like truly anything could happen" — a nod to her 2012 hit of the same name — she added that "the boys will make England proud" and that "it's coming home".

The match takes place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, on Saturday 11 July, with kick-off scheduled for 10pm UK time. England reached the last eight with a dramatic 3-2 win over co-hosts Mexico, while Norway secured their first-ever World Cup quarter-final by beating Brazil 2-1, with Erling Haaland scoring twice; the winners will face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals. Goulding is meanwhile preparing to release her sixth studio album, 'I Know Too Much', on 4 September, following 2023's UK Number One 'Higher Than Heaven', and recently shared the single 'Black Prada Dress'.

  • Ellie Goulding will perform at half-time of England vs Norway.
  • The quarter-final is in Miami on 11 July, 10pm UK time.
  • Her sixth album 'I Know Too Much' arrives on 4 September.

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Ellie Goulding is a British singer-songwriter, best known for hits including "Anything Could Happen" and "Love Me Like You Do", who has built a career spanning pop and dance music since the early 2010s. Half-time performances at major football tournaments have become a regular feature of the modern World Cup, giving artists a large global audience during breaks in the biggest matches. She is due to take on this role at an England quarter-final in the current 2026 tournament, being held in North America.

The match in question pits England against Norway, with both teams having reached the last eight by beating higher-profile opponents: England came from behind to defeat co-hosts Mexico, while Norway knocked out Brazil despite their star forward Erling Haaland. The winner advances to a semi-final against either Argentina or Switzerland, making this a significant step in the tournament for whichever side progresses.

Goulding's appearance also comes as she prepares to release new music, having had a chart-topping album in 2023 and further singles since, meaning the half-time slot serves as a high-profile moment for both the football tournament and her own upcoming record.

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