BTS Take Credit for England's World Cup Win at London Concert
BTS are performing two nights in London as part of their Arirang tour, which is the largest K-pop tour ever undertaken.
During their first UK show in seven years at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, BTS humorously claimed credit for England's 3-2 World Cup victory over Mexico in the early hours of Monday.
"Congrats on the win last night," said band leader RM. "We always bring the luck to every place we play. "When we played in Belgium, Belgium won. Now that we're in London, Britain won. You see?"
The group also expressed apologies to their British fans for the long interval between performances. Their last UK show was in 2019, when they became the first South Korean act to headline Wembley Stadium.
They had planned to return in 2020, but the Covid-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of their extensive Map of the Soul tour.
Following this, all seven members completed mandatory military service in South Korea, resulting in a three-year hiatus for the band.
"There was Covid, there was military, and now we're here in 2026 together," RM said. "I missed you so much, and thank you for all coming."
Suga added, "I'm still feeling the emotion I felt seven or eight years ago. I don't think you guys have changed. You're still in a passionate country."
Singer J-Hope remarked it was an "honour" to perform in the same stadium where South Korean captain Son "Sonny" Heung-min established his reputation.
Son recently apologized for South Korea's early World Cup exit after failing to advance from the group stage.
Thanks to an innovative 360-degree stage, BTS attracted the largest-ever concert crowd at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
BTS drew 65,000 fans to the stadium, with attendees waving light sticks and handmade signs supporting the group.
Some fans held signs reading, "I'm 59 and BTS keeps me young forever," and "I ran a half marathon listening to BTS." Another sign humorously stated, "Namjoon for Prime Minister," featuring RM's image superimposed on a British flag.
Jin reciprocated the fans' affection by holding a sign that read "BTS loves ARMY," the band's affectionate name for their fandom.
Jin displayed a handwritten sign for fans while the band changed into new costumes for the concert's final act.
BTS's Return and New Album
Upon their return earlier this year, questions arose about whether BTS could regain the momentum that made them the world's leading K-pop group in the 2010s.
Each of the seven members—RM, Jimin, V, Suga, Jungkook, Jin, and J-Hope—had released solo material with varying degrees of success.
A Netflix documentary captured their apprehensions about reuniting as a group.
"I don't have any real sense of what this album's supposed to be," RM said during recording sessions, emphasizing that "there's a level of authenticity we need to have here."
Ultimately, they succeeded. Their comeback album, Arirang, celebrates their roots and is named after a traditional Korean folk song sampled in the opening track "Body to Body."
Released with the smooth, catchy single "Swim," the album reached number one in 26 countries and has appeared on multiple best-of-2026 lists.
The sold-out tour, spanning 88 dates across 23 countries, is anticipated to rival Taylor Swift's $2 billion (£1.5 billion) Eras tour in box office revenue.
Concert Experience at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
At Tottenham, BTS brought the album's themes to life. Before their stage entrance, the audience heard the tolling of the sacred bell of King Seongdeok, a revered Korean cultural treasure cast over 1,200 years ago.
The expansive 360-degree stage, featuring four catwalks extending into the audience, drew inspiration from Gyeonghoeru Pavilion in Seoul's Gyeongbokgung Palace. The stage floor incorporated visual elements inspired by the South Korean flag.
The first London show, held in much drier conditions than their initial night at Goyang Stadium, focused primarily on the Arirang album, which revisits the band's hip-hop origins.
The concert opened with a burst of pyrotechnics and fireworks during "Hooligan," showcasing their signature blend of smooth harmonies and sharp rap verses.
Accompanied by 50 dancers clad entirely in black, the opening set a high standard, matched by the defiant "Aliens" and an intense rendition of "Run BTS."
The highlight was a medley of 2026's "FYA" and 2016's "Fire," during which fans jumped with such intensity that the stands visibly shook.
The band responded energetically, running along the catwalks and spraying water over fans and each other as the music pulsed.
"Swim" also received a tremendous response; Jimin removed his earpiece during the first chorus to better hear fans singing along.
After the song, V told the fans, "Honestly, you should just join the tour with us." The resulting screams were deafening.
BTS on stage in London (clockwise from top left): Suga, Jimin, RM, V, J-Hope, Jimin and Jungkook
Tour Dynamics and Fan Interaction
Interestingly, BTS have reduced their emphasis on choreography during this tour, allowing more personal interaction with the audience.
Their personalities were evident during "Butter," when Jungkook jumped onto Jin's shoulders for a piggyback ride around the stage.
Later, during "Idol," the band walked the venue's perimeter, posing for photos and waving to fans as dancers carried giant flags.
However, the band still delivered sharp choreography during "2.0," and during "Dynamite," they performed freestyle moves reminiscent of Michael Jackson, including crotch-grabs and floor spins.
The concert concluded with surprise tracks such as "Life Goes On," a nostalgic song about maintaining connection during Covid lockdowns, and "Dionysus," which was the opening song of their 2019 Wembley shows.
They closed the night with the sentimental and hopeful "Into The Sun," signaling a promise not to be absent for so long in the future.
Fan Reactions and Tour Outlook
Fans who traveled from Korea, the US, and across Europe expressed that the wait was worthwhile.
"I've only been a fan since they were in the military, so I'm really excited to see them and confirm they're real people," one ARMY member told beat.
"Everything about them transcends language and barriers," added another. "There's such a community around them."
"They connect the whole world together."
The band's tour will continue into March 2027, with final dates scheduled in the Philippines.
