BTS to be Co-Headliners for the North/Central America World Cup Final Halftime Show

BTS (Bangtan Boys) will appear as co-headliners for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final halftime show.

Global Citizen, an international civic movement organization responsible for producing the halftime show, and FIFA announced on the 14th that BTS will perform at the World Cup final halftime show to be held at the New Jersey stadium in the US on July 19 (local time).

BTS will grace the stage as co-headliners alongside pop stars Madonna and Shakira.

This is the first time a halftime show will be held during a World Cup final. FIFA and Global Citizen planned this event to create a stage that connects the entire world by combining sports, music, and culture. Global Citizen is an organization that carries out large-scale campaigns and music events to end poverty, respond to climate change, address global health, and expand educational opportunities.

This stage is expected to be effective in promoting the purpose and fundraising campaign of the ‘FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund,’ which was established to expand access to education and sports for underprivileged children worldwide. BTS has a deep connection with this organization, having appeared on ‘Global Citizen Live’ in 2021, and member Jungkook performed on the ‘Global Citizen Festival’ stage in 2023. Jungkook also has a special relationship with the World Cup, having sung the official 2022 Qatar World Cup soundtrack ‘Dreamers’ and performing at the opening ceremony.

Through their agency Big Hit Music, BTS expressed, “It is a great honor to stand on a meaningful stage that the whole world joins together. We believe music is a universal language that conveys hope and harmony. Through this World Cup, it is even more meaningful to be able to share that message with global viewers and contribute to expanding educational opportunities for children.”

The halftime show will be broadcast live worldwide. The curation of the show is led by Chris Martin of the band Coldplay. Characters from ‘Sesame Street’ and ‘The Muppets’ are also included, aiming for a show that encompasses all generations.

BTS will hold their world tour ‘ARIRANG’ at Stanford Stadium in the US on the 16th–17th and 20th. BTS is the first Korean singer to hold a solo concert at this venue. Following that, the tour will continue at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on the 23rd–24th and 27th–28th.