Summary
- Internet personality and streamer iShowSpeed experienced a historic crossover during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, meeting all seven members of K-pop global icons BTS backstage following their massive halftime performance.
- Approaching the K-pop star directly, Watkins exclaimed: ​”Big fan, bro!” ​The high-octane encounter reached an appropriately theatrical climax when Watkins celebrated the rare meeting by executing one of his trademark acrobatic backflips right in front of the band, prompting laughter and cheers from the BTS members.
- The K-pop icons subsequently joined in on the online fun, leaving cheerful comments on the streamer’s post to the delight of the global BTS fanbase, known as ARMY.
Internet personality and streamer iShowSpeed experienced a historic crossover during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, meeting all seven members of K-pop global icons BTS backstage following their massive halftime performance. The unexpected encounter quickly set social media ablaze, blending the worlds of international sports, digital entertainment, and global pop music into one of the night’s most viral spectacles.
​The 21-year-old creator, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., initially made waves online for his highly energetic, fanboy reaction in the stadium stands when BTS took the stage during the highly anticipated Spain vs. Argentina final. Dressed in matching black-and-red outfits, the group delivered a powerhouse performance of their hit song “Dynamite” as part of a star-studded halftime lineup that also featured Madonna, Justin Bieber, and Shakira.
​The excitement reached its peak during the match’s extra time. While livestreaming from a stadium suite, someone off-camera informed the streamer that the South Korean megastars were out in the hallway. Without missing a beat, Watkins rushed into the stadium’s suite corridor, where he immediately crossed paths with the group.
​Upon spotting members RM and J-Hope, the popular streamer couldn’t contain his absolute shock. He repeatedly shouted his request to the band, which was captured live on his broadcast:
​”Oh my God! BTS! Can I get a picture?”
​J-Hope was the first to recognize the prominent streamer, extending a warm greeting. Watkins enthusiastically embraced the group members individually, making sure to share his appreciation for their work. Approaching the K-pop star directly, Watkins exclaimed:
​”Big fan, bro!”
​The high-octane encounter reached an appropriately theatrical climax when Watkins celebrated the rare meeting by executing one of his trademark acrobatic backflips right in front of the band, prompting laughter and cheers from the BTS members.
​Following the backstage meetup, Watkins shared a commemorative group photograph on his Instagram account. The K-pop icons subsequently joined in on the online fun, leaving cheerful comments on the streamer’s post to the delight of the global BTS fanbase, known as ARMY. The crossover added an unforgettable layer of entertainment to a historic night that ultimately saw Spain lift the World Cup trophy.
