BTS hit the FIFA World Cup final halftime show on Sunday, July 19, at New York New Jersey Stadium (officially known as MetLife Stadium). They performed “Dynamite” after Madonna and before Shakira took over her own segment. This was a huge moment for the first-ever World Cup final halftime show, and it’s still a major topic of argument. Chris Martin from Coldplay organized this 11-minute performance. Stars performed to support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which works to provide better education for children worldwide.
BTS delivered with sharp moves and vibrant visuals that fans exactly wanted. Their 2026 World Cup performance was an instant hit on social media, with many people saying they belonged on that massive stage.
Why Netizens are Criticizing BTS
Despite the wide reach of BTS’s FIFA World Cup halftime performance, the group received mixed reactions on social media platforms. People on platforms like X and Reddit were particularly harsh. Some criticized V for his English accent and said he struggled to pronounce his lines during “Dynamite.”
like just stop producing english songs if cant no ones forcing them lmao them larping to know english is funny
They should stop singing english songs cause really they cant prounce it clearly and correctly.
13 years in the industry and can’t even pronounce a single english word correctly
Jimin also faced a lot of negativity, with many people attacking his vocal performance and pitch during the high-pressure live broadcast. Some fans criticized Jimin for skipping the first part of his vocal bridge and lowering his mic. Detractors questioned his vocal confidence and suggested he looked nervous during the major broadcast.
That man can NOT sing and he’s the 2nd best “vocalist” from chopts. My god, army ears must be crusted with dried blood cause wtf.
He always sound like a mess and even skipped his line
TWO FREAKING LINES??? And they still fuc*ed it up??? And now they’re blaming jet lag???
Fans Praising The Performance
On the other side of the internet, fans around the world erupted with praise, celebrating BTS’s electric stage presence, high-energy choreography, and seamless live vocals on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages. Many ARMYs highlighted how the performance proved the group’s unrivaled star power, turning the World Cup halftime show into an unforgettable global pop spectacle.
BTS STAGE KING IS BACK!!
The stadium energy is insane, they literally set the field on fire
The boring game became more exciting after the performance of BTS and Shakira.
Amazing performance and beautiful energy! Choosing dynamite for a celebratory event that was created to bring people together and help kids was just perfect so so proud of bts
BTS Changed Lyrics For the World Cup
During their historic FIFA World Cup Final halftime show performance, BTS changed the lyrics of their iconic song “Dynamite” to fit the theme of the event. Jungkook kicked off the track by swapping “kick the drum” to “kick the ball,” while V playfully changed “a game of ping pong” to “a game of football.” Fans around the world loved these changes, which perfectly blended the tournament’s vibe into the global pop song.
Wayne Rooney Calls World Cup Halftime Show “Crap”
During the BBC’s live coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, the former England captain did not hold back. He appeared as a pundit alongside Gabby Logan, Micah Richards, and Joe Hart. Rooney was asked what his highlight of the halftime show was. He called the first-ever World Cup halftime show “crap” and “garbage”. Then added that the best part was “when it ended.” Richards immediately laughed and called him “so miserable,” while Logan joked that at least the BBC gives “honest reviews.” The clip went viral within hours.
But Rooney’s issue did not appear to be with BTS World Cup performance specifically. According to reports, he said he normally likes many of the artists involved. Still, he clearly hated the overall concept and how it landed during a World Cup final.