BTS Comes Under Brutal Criticism For English Skills During “2026 FIFA World Cup” Performance

Netizens didn’t hold back.

BTS has been hit with brutal criticism from netizens for their English skills during the recent performance for the 2026 FIFA World Cup halftime show.

The members of BTS

On July 19 (KST), BTS performed at the World Cup half-time performance.

[#오늘의방탄]
260719 FIFA World Cup 2026#방탄소년단 #BTS #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/lk6VA8TvbC

— BTS_official (@bts_bighit) July 19, 2026

The performance sparked mixed reactions when it came to the vocals.

BTS’s Live Vocals During “2026 FIFA World Cup” Halftime Show Hit With Mixed Reactions 

Aside from the quality of their vocals, the group came under extremely malicious and discriminatory criticism. In particular, many used the performance as an excuse to hit back at the members’ English pronunciation of the lyrics, even though “Permission To Dance” is entirely in English.

This is what I mean…. learn fucking English pic.twitter.com/K1DaeSvvls

— jiminieoppa (@jiminieopp8v) July 20, 2026

after wash dis wash dis, now ching chong wtf😭 pic.twitter.com/tld1At2MHc

— ✦ (@spicevillains) July 20, 2026

manchild singing in gibberish as usual😭😭 pic.twitter.com/3xbjVwJdki

— Liv (@glittermmochi) July 19, 2026

this manchild is always singing in gibberish 😭 pic.twitter.com/RzkvFRvniP

— ☆chi☆ (@YappingChi) July 19, 2026

BTS