BTS will co-headline the 2026 FIFA World Cup halftime show, marking a historic first for the event, alongside Madonna and Shakira.
May/14/2026 15:36
BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan) will brilliantly decorate the stage of the '2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup™' final, rewriting the history of global popular music once again. On the 14th (local time), according to an official announcement from the international civic movement organization Global Citizen and FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), BTS will take the stage as co-headliners for the halftime show of the World Cup final held on July 19 at the New York-New Jersey Stadium in the United States. This performance is particularly significant as it is the first-ever planned halftime show for a FIFA World Cup final. BTS has been chosen as a co-headliner alongside legendary pop stars Madonna and Shakira. The halftime show will be overseen by Global Citizen, which has been running large-scale campaigns to address global issues such as poverty eradication, climate change, and global health. It is expected to be a meaningful platform to connect the world through the fusion of sports, music, and culture, while also promoting the 'FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund' campaign aimed at expanding access to quality education and sports for children in marginalized areas. BTS conveyed their heartfelt feelings through their agency BIGHIT MUSIC, stating, 'We are very honored to stand on a meaningful stage shared by the world. We believe music is a universal language that conveys hope and unity. Through this World Cup, we can share our message with a global audience and contribute to expanding educational opportunities for children, making it even more meaningful.' The show, which promises a historic scale, will be curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay to enhance its musical quality. Additionally, friendly characters from 'Sesame Street' and 'The Muppets' will join the lineup, creating an enjoyable experience for all generations. Prior to the World Cup halftime show, BTS will demonstrate their overwhelming ticket power with a large-scale tour. They will hold the 'BTS WORLD TOUR [ARIRANG] IN STANFORD' at Stanford Stadium in the United States for three days on the 17th, 18th, and 20th, setting a record as the first Korean artist to hold a solo concert at the stadium, leaving another brilliant mark in the history of global pop music.
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