BTS could soon add another landmark moment to their career after being announced as part of the first-ever halftime show at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, joining Madonna and Shakira in the lineup.
The K-pop group is set to join a star-studded lineup headlining the first-ever halftime show during a FIFA World Cup Final, set to take place on 9 July 2026. The announcement places one of the world's biggest music acts on a stage that traditionally belonged almost entirely to football
Reutersreported that FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the plans as part of an effort to merge sport and entertainment on a larger global scale.
'The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final halftime show will be a truly special moment, bringing together music, football and a shared commitment to improving the lives of children around the world,' he said.
Infantino added that the initiative aims to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, with efforts focused on expanding access to quality education and creating more opportunities for children, saying, 'Together, we will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund and help create greater access to quality education and football for children worldwide.'
For BTS, the World Cup appearance arrives during an important period in their return as a full act. The band spent recent years navigating a hiatus while members completed South Korea's mandatory military service requirements before preparing for large-scale activities again.
Reports over the past year indicated that the group's return would involvenew music and major performancesaimed at reconnecting with audiences worldwide, perThe Guardian. RM, the band's leader, said in a statement last year that they had been planning to work on a large-scale project, reuniting and creating new music.
'Starting in July ... we're planning to make something massive, so from then, we'll probably gather together and stay focused on making music,' he said on the platform Weverse in 2025.
The possibility of performing at one of the largest sporting events in the world creates another major milestone in the Korean group's history. While BTS has previously headlined stadium tours and global award shows, the World Cup carries a different scale because of its broad international audience spanning sports fans and music audiences alike.
The World Cup final has traditionally focused almost entirely on football itself, unlike theSuper Bowl in the United States, which has long integrated entertainment performances into its championship event. FIFA's decision appears designed to create a cultural experience around its biggest match.
Source: International Business Times UK
