The controversy surrounding the reported halftime show for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has intensified after sections of the global BTS fandom accused the show’s creative director of deliberately sidelining the K-pop supergroup. Social media platform X has been flooded with criticism from fans, many of whom claim that the organisers are ignoring BTS despite the group’s enormous worldwide influence and history of record-breaking performances.

ARMY slams FIFA organisers for sidelining BTS

The backlash began after reports surfaced regarding discussions around a potential halftime-style performance segment during the tournament. While no official lineup has been confirmed yet, fans believed BTS would be a natural choice given their global popularity and their impact on music, culture, and international audiences. However, speculation about other artists being prioritised sparked outrage among ARMY, the fandom of BTS.