BTS will take the stage as a headliner for the opening ceremony show at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, sharing the spotlight with pop icons Madonna and Shakira.
Event Announcement and Details
FIFA and Global Citizen revealed that BTS performs at the ‘Happy Team Show’ on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium. This marks the first inclusion of such a show in a World Cup opening ceremony.
The organizations aim to unite sports, music, and culture in a massive production to captivate global audiences.
Star-Studded Lineup
BTS joins forces with U.S. superstar Madonna, known for hits like ‘Borderline’ and ‘Like a Virgin,’ and who has secured seven Grammy Awards. Shakira, the Latin pop sensation, earned a spot on Billboard’s list of the 21st century’s top 17 artists in 2024, with BTS ranking 19th among them.
BTS’s Vision
The group expressed through their music, “We want to become a sweet medicine that cheers up the whole world.” BTS added, “Through this World Cup, we can share that message with Global Citizens and deliver education opportunities to those in need—the meaning runs deep for our country.”
