BTS to perform at first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show
Published: 14 May. 2026, 15:23
Updated: 14 May. 2026, 15:28
MICHAEL LEE
[email protected]
A promotional poster featuring Madonna, BTS and Shakira, who will co-headline the upcoming first-ever halftime show at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at the MetLife Staidum in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19. [BIGHIT MUSIC]
K-pop mega band BTS will take the stage at the halftime show of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, becoming one of the headline acts at the tournament's first-ever halftime performance, organizers said Thursday.
According to FIFA and international advocacy group Global Citizen, BTS will co-headline the halftime show for the concluding match of the tournament, set to take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The performance marks the first halftime show ever held during a FIFA World Cup final, as FIFA and Global Citizen seek to blend sports, music and culture into a globally shared spectacle.
BTS will share top billing with pop stars Madonna and Shakira, placing the Korean group at the center of one of the world’s most widely watched sporting events.
“It is a tremendous honor to stand on such a meaningful stage shared by people around the world,” BTS said through its agency, BigHit Music.
“We believe music is a universal language that conveys hope and unity. It is especially meaningful to be able to share that message with global viewers through this World Cup and contribute to expanding educational opportunities for children,” the group added.
Global Citizen, which is producing the halftime show, focuses on ending extreme poverty and also leads large-scale initiatives and music events focused on issues such as climate change, global health and access to education.
Organizers said the performance is expected to help raise awareness and support fund-raising for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to expand access to quality education and sports opportunities for children in underserved communities around the world.
The halftime show will be broadcast live globally and curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay. Characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets are also slated to appear, in what organizers described as a multigenerational performance.
BTS has maintained longstanding ties with Global Citizen.
The group appeared together at the 2021 Global Citizen Live concert, while member Jungkook performed at the 2023 Global Citizen Festival.
Jungkook also sang “Dreamers” (2022), a part of the official soundtrack for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and performed at the tournament’s opening ceremony.
Separately, BTS is set to perform at Stanford Stadium in California on May 17, 18 and 20, becoming the first Korean act to stage a solo concert at the venue.
BY MICHAEL LEE [
[email protected]
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