The report says Chris Martin would lead the performance, with Madonna, Shakira, BTS and Justin Bieber among the other names linked to the lineup. That combination offers enormous reach, particularly among younger audiences.
Global Citizen’s established model is built around that reach. Supporters are encouraged to take mobilisation actions, while governments and companies are pressed to make financial or political commitments. The strategy can put major issues in front of millions of people, but attention is not the same as delivery.
The organisation claims to have helped secure $49 billion in resources for poverty reduction and environmental protection. However, the report says some governments have disputed whether particular commitments resulted directly from Global Citizen’s pressure.
Its financial structure also invites scrutiny. The report cites 2024 accounts showing $45 million in revenue and a $3 million loss, while between 60% and 70% of revenue reportedly went towards festival production, staging and organisation.
High production costs do not automatically disprove the value of the campaign. They do raise the standard of proof. ’s platform brings extraordinary visibility, so the public will expect a clear link between the show, the money pledged and the people who ultimately benefit.
The relationship also has a football power base. The report links Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football, to Global Citizen through his family foundation’s long-running partnership with the organisation.
That connection may strengthen the campaign’s influence across football, but it also makes transparency more important. and its partners will need to separate headline commitments from funds actually distributed.
The next storyline will come after the final: whether and Global Citizen publish a precise account of money raised, beneficiaries reached and pledges fulfilled. Without that evidence, the celebrity lineup will remain clearer than the social outcome.