BTS made history at the World Cup final

Fresh off wrapping the European leg of their tour, BTS stepped onto one of the biggest stages sport has to offer on July 19. They performed at the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, and did it as the first-ever halftime show in the tournament's 96-year history.

The show was held at the stadium in New Jersey, renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the occasion, during an extended halftime break in the final. Instead of the usual short pause, organizers this time staged a full musical spectacle put together by Coldplay's Chris Martin, in partnership with the organization Global Citizen.

For fans, the most moving part was how the members made their entrance. After an orchestral performance of "Seven Nation Army" conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, the seven walked out one by one, dressed in black, red, and white, a tribute to the colors of Korea's "Red Devils," the legendary supporters' group of the Korean national team. They later described the performance itself as a dream come true.

They performed "Dynamite," their 2020 hit and the first song that took them to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Interestingly, what they'd actually perform wasn't announced until the very last moment, so the choice was a surprise even to the crowd.

They weren't alone on that stage. Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and Burna Boy all performed alongside them, and at the end every performer joined together for "We Dance," a song Coldplay wrote specifically for this World Cup. They were joined by New York's PS22 children's choir and characters from the Muppets and Sesame Street, underscoring the evening's charitable note: raising funds for children's access to education around the world.

For BTS, it's another entry in a long list of records. They became the first musicians ever to perform at a World Cup final halftime show.

BTS | FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final Halftime Show | Full Performance · FIFA

BANGTANTV later released a behind-the-scenes sketch showing the members rehearsing the performance ahead of the final.