From Jungkook to Lisa to Jihyo: K-Pop’s Growing Legacy at the FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup has long served as a global celebration where sports, music, and culture come together on one stage. Over the years, FIFA has collaborated with artists from around the world to deliver unforgettable performances and iconic soundtrack songs. Among the music industries that have gained increasing global recognition through the tournament, K-pop has emerged as one of the most powerful cultural forces in recent years.

Let’s take a look at K-pop’s journey through the FIFA World Cup:

LISA [BLACKPINK]

Lisa is currently making headlines following the release of “Goals,” her collaboration with Brazilian singer Anitta and Nigerian artist Rema. The song was released on May 21, 2026, as part of the official soundtrack for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

On June 12, Lisa joined Anitta and Rema on stage to perform their special collaboration single, “Goals,” during the second opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup. The performance marked a historic milestone for Lisa, who became the first female K-pop act and the first Thai artist to headline a FIFA World Cup opening ceremony. Together, the trio delivered a captivating stage that quickly took the internet by storm.

JUNGKOOK [BTS]

Previously, BTS’ Jungkook became the first solo K-pop artist to headline a FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, performing “Dreamers,” a song released as part of the official 2022 FIFA World Cup soundtrack. The track featured a collaboration with Qatari singer Fahad Al Kubaisi and quickly gained worldwide attention.

His live performance at the Al Bayt Stadium was widely praised by both music and football fans, helping introduce K-pop to an even broader global audience. “Dreamers” also achieved strong chart performances internationally, further proving K-pop’s growing influence beyond the music industry.

JIHYO [TWICE]

TWICE’s leader and vocalist Jihyo added another impressive achievement to her career by lending her voice to “Follow Me,” one of the songs featured on the FIFA World Cup 2026 soundtrack. The global collaboration brings together an international lineup of artists, including French Montana, Ludmilla, Adriana C, and renowned producer RedOne.

With her powerful vocals, Jihyo helps deliver a track that reflects the excitement, passion, and worldwide appeal of the FIFA World Cup, further showcasing K-pop’s growing influence on the global stage.

The Beginning of K-pop’s FIFA World Cup Legacy

However, K-pop’s FIFA World Cup journey actually dates back to 2002, when South Korea and Japan co-hosted the global tournament. Singer Lena Park and R&B duo Brown Eyes joined Japanese acts Chemistry and Sowelu to create the special unit called ‘Voices of Korea/Japan’ and released “Let’s Get Together Now,” the title song for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Official Album – Songs of Korea/Japan.

The opening ceremony, held in Seoul, featured a memorable joint performance of the song that celebrated unity between the two host nations.

BTS to Headline FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show

Adding even more excitement for K-pop fans, BTS is reportedly set to headline the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show. The global sensation will appear as co-headliners during the halftime event taking place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium.

The show is expected to become a historic moment, as it will mark the first officially organized halftime show during a FIFA World Cup final. The announcement has already created enormous anticipation online, with fans eager to witness BTS perform at one of the most-watched sporting events in the world.

These historic appearances not only showcase the worldwide popularity of Korean music but also demonstrate how K-pop continues breaking barriers on some of the world’s biggest stages.