Blackpink’s Lisa Set to Make History: First Female K-pop Artist at FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony
Blackpink sensation Lisa is slated to make history by performing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in the US next month. Her appearance marks a significant milestone, as she becomes the first female artist from a K-pop group ever to grace the prestigious event.
Reports from The Athletic on Friday confirm that the acclaimed Thai singer has finalized a performance agreement with FIFA for the upcoming tournament’s grand opening festivities. Fans can anticipate her electrifying presence ahead of the US-Paraguay match at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on June 12. She will share the stage with global stars including Katy Perry, Future, and DJ Sanjoy.
This highly anticipated performance will signify the second time a K-pop act has taken the stage at a FIFA World Cup opening ceremony. This follows the groundbreaking appearance of BTS member Jungkook, who performed the official soundtrack “Dreamers” at the 2022 Qatar World Cup opener.
Given that the 2026 tournament is a monumental joint hosting effort by the US, Canada, and Mexico, an unprecedented three separate opening ceremonies have been meticulously planned to celebrate the global event.
The festivities will commence with acclaimed Mexican artists Mana, Alejandro Fernandez, and Belinda, who are slated to perform at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11. Following this, Canadian luminaries Michael Buble, Alanis Morissette, and Alessia Cara are set to captivate audiences in Toronto on June 12. Each of the US and Canada ceremonies are projected to run for 13 minutes, while the Mexico event will feature an extended program of 16 and a half minutes.
Lisa, who debuted with the global phenomenon Blackpink in 2016, has since forged an exceptionally successful solo career. Her groundbreaking 2021 solo single, “Lalisa,” shattered records by achieving first-week sales exceeding 736,000 copies, marking an unprecedented feat for a female solo artist in the K-pop industry at that time.
Her artistic journey continues to evolve; following her anticipated 2025 album “Alter Ego,” Lisa has consistently delivered fresh and innovative music. This includes her recent critically acclaimed collaboration, “Bad Angel,” with renowned Italian American producer Anyma.
jaaykim
