BTS is set to perform in Qatar for the FIFA World Cup 2022 opening ceremony, according to the rumour mill, and we may get confirmation as soon as today.
The opening ceremony is set for Sunday, November 20 at Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar. On that same day, the kick-off game of the tournament, a match between Qatar and Ecuador, will take place.
The internationally popular K-Pop act would be a perfect fit for the World Cup, not just because of their immense following in the Gulf, but also their partnership with one of the official sponsors, Hyundai Motors, with whom they’re already the official promoters of their sustainability initiative, ‘The Goal of the Century’.
“It may be possible to deliver impressive news to fans of BTS in as soon as a few hours. There is word going around from several sources that [BTS] will perform during the opening ceremony of the Qatar World Cup in front of 60,000 people,” wrote a media outlet in Mexico.
“BTS is the biggest boy band in the world, The FIFA World Cup is the most important event in soccer. Once it begins, it becomes an event that immobilizes the world,” they continued.
Visit the BTS store in Dubai ahead of the World Cup
BTS, one of the most popular groups in the world and the kings of the K-pop industry, has opened their first-ever Middle East pop-up entitled BTS Pop-Up: Space of BTS.
It’s open now in BurJuman Mall on Level 1.
It will be open for a limited time, with new drops coming every two weeks.
There will be exclusive photo zones and merch, so keep an eye out for more.
BTS Pop-Up: Space of BTS
This will be the only location in Dubai, and we don’t have word yet on the closing date. Stay tuned for more updates. We’ll also share images of the Dubai shop when they’re available.
The limited-time only store run by HYBE, previously known as Big Hit Entertainment will bring exclusive BTS merch and a ‘superb fan experience’ through an experiential space ‘where fans can enjoy themed photo zones and merchandise’, according to a press statement.
There will be more than 400 product categories with some exclusive pop-up store only merchandise ranging from apparels, accessories, figures and a lot more at the Dubai-based pop-up. During its opening, new products are scheduled to be released every two weeks for patrons to anticipate.
More can be found on Twitter here and instagram here, as well as through BurJuman’s channels.
BTS Pop-Ups have popped up across the world, with the first Pop-Up: House of BTS established in October 2019 with another, Pop-Up: Map of the Soul, opening in 2020. The ‘Space’ concept has popped up in many places, including recently in Toronto, Canada.
The Space concept has been huge across Southeast Asia, with huge queues and many returning customers coming again and again.
BTS’s FILA collection from last year
BTS is no stranger to branded merch. Last summer in Dubai, the boys dropped a project with sportswear brand FILA, entitled ‘Project 7: Back to Nature’.
The collection was inspired by natural elements, taking eco-friendly street style with unique designs.
The line featured pieces ranging from t-shirts, shoes, hats and more, with tees featuring artsy graphics and earth tones such as green, violet, as well as tones straight up just called’ earth’ and ‘wood’ which we are guessing are kinds of brown.
All are made from eco-friendly materials, according to FILA. All the graphics are nature-inspired as well.
Looking back at the BTS Meal
This isn’t the first of the group’s sensations that has hit the UAE. Last summer, McDonald’s ran the BTS Meal, which Esquire Middle East actually reviewed quite well.
It caused a sensation globally–and this will make last year feel like a long time ago—a McNugget that looked like an Among Us avatar isold for $30,269.69 on online auction platform eBay with 114 bids. That’s over AED 110,000.
If that seems a bit too expensive for you, there was also one that’s up to $16,100 with around 40 bids, or AED 60,000 approximately, that actually looks a bit closer to the actual Avatar.
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What was in the meal? Let’s break it down…
With it, you get a 10-Piece Chicken McNuggets, medium World-Famous Fries, medium Coke, and sweet Chili and Cajun dipping sauces inspired by recipes from McDonald’s South Korea.
Review: Yes, you really need to try the BTS Meal at McDonald’s
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Man, I miss that meal…