BTS took the stage Sunday as featured performers in soccer’s first-ever World Cup halftime show. The group appeared at MetLife Stadium during the final match between Spain and Argentina. Consequently, this eleven-minute halftime show marked a historic first for the tournament’s championship event.
Indeed, the septet emerged wearing black, red and white outfits inspired by Korea’s Red Devils supporters. This entrance followed an orchestral rendition of “Seven Nation Army” conducted by Gustavo Dudamel beforehand. Afterward, BTS performed a shortened version of “Dynamite,” their breakthrough 2020 Billboard Hot 100 hit. For this occasion, the group reworked several lyrics with soccer-themed references throughout the performance. Notably, “kick the drum” became “kick the ball” during this special adaptation.
Furthermore, Global Citizen produced the halftime show in partnership with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin as curator. Additionally, the lineup featured performances from Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and Burna Boy collectively. The show concluded with a collaborative finale performing “We Dance,” written specifically for this tournament. Staten Island’s PS22 Chorus and Muppets characters also joined the closing musical number.
Beyond entertainment, this halftime show highlighted the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund’s mission clearly. This fund supports educational access for children in underserved communities worldwide. Through Big Hit Music, BTS called the performance an honor following their appearance. They credited their fandom, known as Army, for making the opportunity possible.
This appearance also marked another milestone following Jungkook’s solo performance at the 2022 World Cup. Notably, all seven members performed together this time for the championship match. The performance came just one day after BTS completed their European “Arirang” tour leg. That leg drew roughly 717,000 attendees across ten concerts in five major cities.
Looking ahead, BTS will resume their tour in North America starting August 1 at MetLife Stadium.
