Big concerts pop up at the World Cup to raise cash for schools

This summer’s World Cup is mixing sports with music to pull in cash for education. One group has booked a huge stage during halftime that would normally be empty. They’ve convinced pop stars like Madonna, Shakira and global group BTS to perform — something rarely seen at soccer matches. The plan is to use the massive crowd to push donations toward classrooms instead of just a big show. The same group isn’t new to this trick. Last year they filled Central Park with over 60, 000 people to talk about saving rainforests and clean energy. Now they’re aiming even higher by teaming up with soccer’s biggest event. The halftime slot is something most fans skip to grab snacks, so turning it into a concert stage is a bold move. While the players rest, the singers take over and the screen lights up.The message behind the show also comes with new music. Shakira just dropped “Dai Dai, ” a World Cup anthem that blends Afrobeats with pop, hoping it sticks in listeners’ heads long enough to spark interest. And when Chris Martin of Coldplay helped pick the lineup, he made sure the acts weren’t just there to perform but to remind people that kids still need books and teachers. It’s a smart trick: borrow the glow of a world-famous tournament to shine light on problems that usually get less attention. Some might say the concert steals focus from the games themselves. But for the organizers, a delayed goal is better than no goal at all when it comes to giving every child a chance to learn.