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

On July 19, the final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup took place, with BTS performing during the halftime show alongside other famous musicians.

BTS | BIGHIT Music

The group took the field third after performances by Madonna and an orchestral performance featuring the Muppets. BTS performed Dynamite, surprising some who expected them to perform “Permission to Dance.”

Like the other performers, the group were given about a minute and a half, where they performed the song with a slightly different arrangement.

BTS performs "Dynamite" at the FIFA #WorldCup Final Halftime Show

(via FOX) pic.twitter.com/wYmvwYwKX9

— Variety (@Variety) July 19, 2026

Reactions have varied as the internet has reacted to the performance.

Many felt that the group were singing live, with Jimin’s moment of silence seen as proving a point.

Jimin not singing the first few seconds live just proves that when he does start singing, there’s literally no difference between his live vocals and the backing track 🫰🏻 pic.twitter.com/cVzxK5EDE1

— C ☾ (@cominluver) July 19, 2026

THATS HOW YOU PERFORM BTW pic.twitter.com/NCIo67yTzj

— luna⁷ (@tetebbi) July 19, 2026

can we talk how jungkook sounds exactly like the studio version omg jungkook live singing is unbelievable pic.twitter.com/vRpintLBDo

— 정국 (@archivekukk) July 19, 2026

However, reactions to these live vocals have been mixed, with some specifically pointing out Jimin’s live vocals. Some pointed out a moment when the idol’s voice appeared to crack, while referring to his singing as “pitchy.”

sounding like a mess at the world cup final is actually crazy pic.twitter.com/AdObkg0OLV

— ᵕ̈ (@pinksbabymon) July 19, 2026

just awful 😭 https://t.co/ngw7ERdKPy pic.twitter.com/I7QMX1ndA0

— ☆ꕤ｡˚ (@jencoholic) July 19, 2026

This long blonde haired guy can't sing, can he? 😭 pic.twitter.com/MVzJIjiMs3

— T🎭 (@Wakeazul) July 19, 2026

However, many reminded that BTS were just in Paris the previous day and are in the middle of a world tour, praising the group for their performance.

bts just performed for the biggest crowds of their entire career in paris on their sold out world tour yesterday night, got on a plane right after, flew to new york and did rehearsal to perform their record breaking grammy nominated song during the first ever halftime show at the… pic.twitter.com/DHUu9irTx3

— please⁷ (@koomiversc) July 19, 2026

BTS who just landed in the US after performing for a sold out concert in Paris less than 24 hours ago but are still synchronized and energetic as ever pic.twitter.com/3xhYrTbK3H

— kat (@kookyun) July 19, 2026

who would say this group had just landed in new york and was already performing on the world’s biggest stage less than 24 hours after finishing two sold out shows back to back in paris, look at that synchronization no one comes close pic.twitter.com/1oSuF1SFq9

— tan into the sun⁷ (@taesl0ver) July 19, 2026

You can read more about BTS and FIFA below.

“Fuels Racism…” — BTS Being “Used For Clout” By Argentina Football Team Sparks Backlash

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