NEWS
BTS fans may have another reason to look forward to the 2026 FIFA World Cup after j-hope appeared to hint that the group could be working on a new song for the tournament ahead of their co-headlining halftime performance at the championship match.
During a Weverse livestream on Wednesday (July 8), the BTS member responded to a question from a fan asking whether the group was preparing a song for FIFA. Reading the comment aloud, j-hope asked, “Is BTS releasing any song for FIFA?” before pausing with a playful grin.
“Hmmm,” he replied, smiling in a way that immediately caught fans’ attention without revealing anything further.
His reaction quickly sparked speculation online. One fan wrote on X, “OH THT LIL SMILE HE HIDING SOMETHING,” after watching a clip from the livestream. Another added, “That face of his I know they are cooking something I just can’t prove it.”
Billboard has contacted the group’s label and representatives for comment.
The livestream took place on the same day FIFA confirmed that Justin Bieber would join BTS, Madonna and Shakira as a co headliner for the FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show, which will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It will be the first World Cup Final to feature a halftime show of this size, with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin serving as curator for the lineup.
The halftime performances will also support FIFA’s Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative dedicated to improving access to education and soccer opportunities for children around the world.
“The FIFA World Cup brings the world together in a way nothing else can,” Bieber said in a statement. “I’m grateful to be part of this halftime show, and even more grateful knowing it’s already helping expand access to education for children around the world.”
Although j-hope chose not to reveal any additional details about the rumored song, which would potentially join a 2026 FIFA soundtrack featuring original music from Jelly Roll, 21 Savage, Latto, The Rolling Stones, Burna Boy and others, he made it clear that he is excited for the upcoming performance. “Yeah, can’t wait!” he said.
“The World Cup is really fun these days,” he continued, explaining that fellow BTS member SUGA has been keeping everyone updated on the tournament scores before the group goes on stage. “He had to tell us, ‘Egypt is beating Argentina with a score of 2-0! Hey, we turned the tables!’ It’s making me crazy.”
As the tournament heads toward its final match, j-hope also shared which team he is supporting. “Of course, I cheered for the Korean players so much. Personally, this time, Team Norway.”
BTS will perform in New Jersey as part of their ARIRANG World Tour, which is in support of their Billboard 200 chart topping album ARIRANG. After appearing at the FIFA World Cup Final, the group will return to MetLife Stadium for two more concerts on Aug. 1 and 2.
Lewis Capaldi reportedly picked up the bill for an entire pub packed with England supporters following their dramatic World Cup win against Mexico.
The singer songwriter was spotted enjoying the match with Rita Ora at the Marlborough pub in Mayfair as the Three Lions secured a thrilling 3 to 2 victory.
Even though his home nation, Scotland, endured a disappointing tournament and were knocked out during the group stage, Capaldi still joined in the celebrations after the final whistle by treating the England fans in the pub to a round of drinks.
“Lewis bought every single person in the Marlborough a drink,” one customer told The Sun. “The bar staff were told to put every drink ordered on his tab. By the end of the night it came to almost £2,000.”
The pubgoer continued, saying it was “such a generous surprise and a genuinely lovely thing to do, especially from a Scotland fan… Lewis was an absolute legend. Not only did he buy everyone a drink, but he was also so kind to every person who came over to say hello.”
Ora also posted several videos from the lively celebrations, writing: “NOTHING beats a London pub game EVER… It’s coming home!!! The fact I woke up with my hair clips in and my hair has not moved says. Watch it till the end… trust me.”
Throughout the celebrations, Capaldi and Ora sang each other's songs before joining the rest of the crowd in celebrating England's victory by chanting, “Football’s coming home, it’s coming home…”
The celebrations come just before Capaldi headlines BST Hyde Park this weekend. The Scottish singer songwriter is set to perform at the London concert series on both Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12.
Those huge outdoor performances are part of his UK and Ireland headline tour this summer, and any remaining tickets can be found here.
Capaldi recently revealed that one of the BST Hyde Park concerts will also be streamed live worldwide on YouTube.
The performance will be the biggest headline show of his career so far. Fans across the globe will be able to watch for free on YouTube without a paywall. The broadcast will feature 26 cameras capturing every moment, along with aerial footage filmed by drones.
Joining him on the July 11 BST Hyde Park lineup are The Vaccines, Absolutely, Nieve Ella, Tyler Ballgame, Kerr Mercer, NECKBREAKERS, Benjamin Steer, Luz, Sebastian Croft, and Luke La Volpe.
Meanwhile, England will face Norway in the World Cup quarter finals on the same evening as Capaldi's opening BST Hyde Park performance.
