BTS to take the stage at FIFA World Cup final halftime show

(FIFA)

South Korean boy pop group BTS will appear as co-headliners at the halftime show of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final in North and Central America.

The international civic movement organization Global Citizen, which is producing the halftime show, and FIFA announced on Thursday, local time, that BTS will take the stage at the World Cup Final halftime show on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, near New York in the United States.

BTS will share the stage as co-headliners with pop stars Madonna and Shakira.

This will be the first time a halftime show is held during a World Cup final. FIFA and Global Citizen designed the event to create a stage that combines sports, music, and culture to unite the world.

Global Citizen is an organization that runs large-scale campaigns and music events aimed at ending poverty, addressing climate change, improving global health, and expanding access to education.

The performance is expected to help promote the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to expand access to quality education and sports opportunities for children in underserved regions worldwide.

BTS previously appeared in Global Citizen Live in 2021, and member Jungkook performed at the Global Citizen Festival in 2023, showing their ongoing connection with the organization.

Jungkook also sang the official 2022 Qatar World Cup soundtrack, “Dreamers,” and performed at the opening ceremony.

Through their agency BigHit Music, BTS said that “it is an honor to stand on such a meaningful stage where the world comes together. We believe music is a universal language that delivers hope and unity. It is even more meaningful that we can share this message with a global audience through the World Cup and contribute to expanding educational opportunities for children.”

The halftime show will be broadcast live worldwide. The show’s curation is led by Chris Martin of Coldplay. The lineup also includes characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets, aiming for a performance that spans generations.

BTS, in the meantime, will hold their world tour “Arirang” at Stanford Stadium in the U.S. on May 16 and 17 and May 20. This marks the first time a Korean artist has held a solo concert at the venue. The group will continue the tour at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on May 23-24 and May 27-28.