Lisa of BLACKPINK Breaks Barriers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

In a landmark moment for both K-pop and Thai representation, BLACKPINK's Lisa stepped onto the global stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, setting a new precedent for the tournament's musical legacy. Her performance wasn't just a concert; it was a centerpiece of a completely reimagined opening ceremony format that spanned three countries and an entire official album.

The Historic Performance

Lisa (Lalisa Manobal) cemented her place in World Cup history at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles, on June 12, 2026. By headlining the U.S. opening ceremony, she became the first Thai artist and the first female K-pop artist ever to perform at the event . Her appearance, confirmed by her agency LLOUD and later by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, marked only the second time a K-pop act had performed at a World Cup opening, following BTS's Jungkook at the 2022 tournament in Qatar .

She delivered a high-energy performance of "Goals," a new single created with Brazilian pop superstar Anitta and Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema . The track, which blends K-pop choreography, Latin pop, and Afrobeats rhythms, was released on May 21, 2026, as part of the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album via FIFA Sound . The live debut of the song before the U.S. Men's National Team's Group D match against Paraguay was a vibrant fusion of three distinct global music scenes .

The Full U.S. Opening Ceremony Lineup

Lisa's historic moment was part of a Hollywood-style spectacle curated for the U.S. leg of the opening festivities. The full lineup of performers at SoFi Stadium included:

• Katy Perry (headliner)
• Future
• Anitta
• Lisa (BLACKPINK)
• Rema
• Tyla
• Dan + Shay (who performed the U.S. national anthem)

The ceremony was attended by a host of celebrities, including Tom Cruise, David and Victoria Beckham, and Paris Hilton, lending an A-list atmosphere to the event before the match kicked off .

A First in 96 Years: The Three-Nation Opening Format

For the first time in the World Cup's 96-year history, FIFA abandoned the traditional single opening ceremony. Instead, organizers staged three separate but interconnected events across the host nations of Mexico, Canada, and the United States, each designed to showcase local culture under a shared theme of unity through football .

Each ceremony took place approximately 90 minutes before that host nation's first match, creating a rolling, multi-day kickoff to the tournament.

Mexico

• Date & Location: June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City .
• Headliners & Key Acts: Shakira and Burna Boy debuted the official World Cup anthem "Dai Dai." The lineup also featured a constellation of Latin American stars, including Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, J Balvin, and Maná .

Canada

• Date & Location: June 12, 2026, in Toronto .
• Headliners & Key Acts: Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette headlined a celebration of Canadian talent. Other performers included Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, Elyanna, Nora Fatehi, Sanjoy, Vegedream, and William Prince .

United States

• Date & Location: June 12, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles .
• Headliners & Key Acts: Katy Perry headlined the event, which featured the landmark performance by Lisa, Anitta, and Rema, along with Future and Tyla .

The ceremonies were produced by Marco Balich, the creative director known for his work on several Olympic opening ceremonies, and were connected by a shared narrative around the World Cup trophy itself .

The Album as the Soundtrack to a Tournament

The musical strategy for 2026 was as bold as its format. Rather than releasing a handful of promotional singles, FIFA unveiled the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album on June 5, 2026. The 18-track compilation featured a globally diverse roster of artists and was designed to be the tournament's complete musical identity . The ambition was that all 18 songs would be performed live across the three opening ceremonies, making the album an integral part of the event rather than a standalone commercial product .

Beyond "Goals" by Lisa, Anitta, and Rema, the album included tracks such as "Dai Dai" by Shakira and Burna Boy, "No Place Like Home" by Major Lazer, Nelly Furtado, and Davido, and "Champion" by IShowSpeed, highlighting FIFA's intent to capture music fans across pop, Afrobeats, Latin, and electronic genres .