BTS, BLACKPINK's Lisa to Perform at 2026 World Cup Opening Ceremonies, with BTS Set for First-Ever Final Halftime Show

BTS and BLACKPINK's Lisa will take the stage at major events during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, with BTS set for the tournament's first-ever halftime show at the final and Lisa booked for the U.S. opening ceremony.

This North American World Cup is the first in history to be jointly hosted by three countries — the United States, Canada and Mexico. To underscore the significance of the joint hosting, the opening ceremonies will be held in relay fashion across the three countries, with a slate of global pop stars taking part.

The first opening ceremony will be held on the 12th at 2:30 a.m. (hereafter KST) at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Shakira, beloved for the official 2010 South Africa World Cup anthem, will debut the tournament's official song "Dai Dai (Dai Dai)" alongside Afrobeats star Burna Boy. The second opening ceremony will follow on the 13th at 2:30 a.m. at Toronto Stadium in Canada, where pop-jazz musician Michael Bublé and Alessia Cara will headline.

The most anticipated third opening ceremony will take place on the 13th at 8:30 a.m. at the Los Angeles Stadium in the United States. The stage will feature U.S. pop star Katy Perry, hip-hop star Future and BLACKPINK's Lisa. Lisa became the second K-pop artist to perform at a World Cup opening ceremony, following BTS member Jung Kook, who appeared at the 2022 Qatar World Cup opening ceremony.

The much-anticipated final, to be held at the New York–New Jersey Stadium in the United States, will feature the World Cup's first-ever halftime show. BTS has been confirmed as a co-headliner alongside Madonna and Shakira, setting the stage for a landmark World Cup performance. In particular, the halftime show will be overseen by Coldplay's Chris Martin, who is handling the overall curation, further raising expectations among music fans.