BTS Performs at World Cup Halftime Show: "Feels Like a Dream"

The group BTS shared their thoughts on performing at the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup halftime show, stating, "We are happy to have performed for such a great cause, spreading love alongside wonderful artists and children. It feels like we were in a dream."

Through their agency, Big Hit Music, BTS expressed, "The World Cup is a tournament we have enjoyed watching since we were young, and it is an honor to stand on the stage for the first-ever halftime show of the final."

The members added, "We were able to reach this stage thanks to the influence of 'ARMY' (the group's fandom) around the world. We are truly grateful to everyone who watched us."

BTS appeared as co-headliners alongside global pop stars such as Madonna, Shakira, and Justin Bieber at the World Cup final halftime show held at the New Jersey Stadium in New York.

Dressed in red outfits reminiscent of the Red Devils, the official supporters of the South Korean national team, BTS performed their hit song "Dynamite."

This song, which in 2020 became the first in K-pop history to top the U.S. Billboard main singles chart "Hot 100" for three weeks, previously delivered comfort and hope to people around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BTS added significance to the performance by changing some of the lyrics to include football-related lines such as "kick the ball / a game of football."

In particular, member Suga drew attention by wearing an outfit with a Red Devils patch, while Jimin wore an outfit featuring the number "7," which is the jersey number of national football team captain Son Heung-min and also a symbol for BTS.

BTS reappeared at the end of the halftime show to join Coldplay, Shakira, Justin Bieber, characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets, and the PS 22 Chorus from a public school in Staten Island, New York, to sing "We Dance," a song created by Coldplay for the World Cup.

This halftime show was produced by the international advocacy organization Global Citizen to promote the purpose of the "FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund," which provides educational opportunities to children in underserved communities.

BTS reportedly drew 92,000 spectators per show during their two-day concert in Paris, France, on July 17 and 18, totaling 184,000 attendees.

According to their agency, BTS mobilized approximately 717,000 spectators across 10 performances in five cities during their European tour, including Madrid, Spain; Brussels, Belgium; London, UK; Munich, Germany; and Paris, France.

BTS will continue their North American tour starting with a concert at MetLife Stadium in New York on August 1 and 2.

(Photo courtesy of Big Hit Music, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.