The US leg of the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off in spectacular fashion on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and the night's headline musical moment belonged to three artists who had never performed together before this year. BLACKPINK's LISA, Brazilian superstar Anitta, and Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema delivered the live debut of 'Goals' — and in doing so, LISA became the first Thai artist and the first female K-pop act ever to headline a FIFA World Cup opening ceremony.
FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony: What Happened At SoFi Stadium
The Los Angeles ceremony was the third of three separate opening celebrations FIFA staged across the tournament's host nations — Mexico City, Toronto, and Los Angeles — the first time in World Cup history that FIFA has organised individual opening ceremonies for each co-host country. The decision to host three distinct ceremonies reflected the unprecedented scale of the 2026 tournament, which spans three nations across North America. Each ceremony was tailored to local culture, with Toronto highlighting Canadian diversity, Mexico City celebrating Mexican heritage, and Los Angeles showcasing global pop music themes.
At SoFi Stadium, the ceremony began with a vibrant pre-show that included local dance troupes, youth choirs, and a tribute to the tournament's theme of unity. The main program opened with US rapper Future and South African singer Tyla performing 'Game Time', the seventh single from the official 2026 FIFA World Cup album. Their performance featured high-energy choreography and a dynamic light show that set the tone for the evening.
Then came the moment fans had been waiting for. LISA, Anitta, and Rema took the stage in coordinating white outfits — a deliberate fashion choice to symbolize peace and collaboration. The trio performed 'Goals', a multilingual track blending K-pop, Latin pop, and Afrobeats. LISA opened the song with a powerful verse in English and Korean, followed by Anitta who seamlessly switched between English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Rema closed with a signature Afrobeats verse that had the stadium dancing. The performance was backed by a live band and a troupe of dancers representing each artist's cultural background.
Future and Tyla opened the Los Angeles show with 'Game Time,' the seventh single from the official 2026 FIFA World Cup album, before LISA, Anitta, and Rema took the stage in coordinating white outfits to perform 'Goals'.
Katy Perry, Dan + Shay, Andrea Bocelli, and EJAE also featured across the ceremony, with Bocelli and EJAE performing the official FIFA World Cup anthem 'DNA'. Perry performed a medley of her greatest hits, including 'Firework' and 'Roar', both anthems of empowerment that resonated with the global audience. Dan + Shay brought a country-pop sensibility to the event, performing their hit '10,000 Hours' alongside a choir of children from across the US. The inclusion of such diverse genres underscored FIFA's commitment to representing the musical diversity of the host nations.
The opening match between Mexico and South Africa followed, with the host nation winning 2-0. The match itself was a thrilling affair, with Mexico's early goals setting the pace and South Africa mounting a valiant comeback effort that fell short. The result was a fitting start to a tournament that promises to be one of the most competitive in history.
FIFA World Cup Song 'Goals': What It Is And Who Made It
'Goals' was released on May 21 as part of the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album, produced by Grammy winner Cirkut alongside Bava, PinkSlip, and Brazilian duo Tropkillaz. Cirkut, known for his work with Katy Perry and The Weeknd, brought his signature pop production style to the track. Tropkillaz, a Brazilian beat-making duo, infused the track with samba and baile funk elements, while Bava and PinkSlip added layers of electronic and hip-hop influences.
The track is sung in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, blending Latin pop, K-pop, and Afrobeats. LISA delivers the opening verse in English and Korean, showcasing her signature rap style. Anitta takes over across all three languages, demonstrating her versatility as a trilingual artist. Rema rounds it all off with an Afrobeats verse that blends Nigerian Pidgin and English, creating a unique sonic fusion.
K-pop, Latin pop, and Afrobeats have driven the largest share of global streaming growth over the past five years, and the three artists between them represent Asia, Latin America, and Africa. The collaboration was months in the making, with each artist recording their parts remotely before coming together for rehearsals in Los Angeles. LISA said in a statement, 'Being a part of the Official FIFA World Cup Album this year has been so exciting. To share this moment with Anitta and Rema, two artists I deeply respect, is a dream come true. Music truly has the power to unite the world.'
The song's music video, released alongside the single, has already amassed over 200 million views on YouTube, with fans praising its cinematic visuals and choreography. The video was directed by Dave Meyers, known for his work with Kendrick Lamar and Taylor Swift, and features each artist performing in iconic locations from their home countries: LISA in Bangkok's Grand Palace, Anitta in Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue, and Rema in Lagos' Nike Art Gallery.
What's Next For Music At The FIFA World Cup 2026
The Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album has been building toward this moment for months, with previous singles including 'Lighter,' 'Por Ella,' 'Echo,' and 'Illuminate' already released. 'Dai Dai' by Shakira and Burna Boy is the tournament's official song. The album has been praised for its genre-spanning approach, with tracks that range from reggaeton to folk pop to electronic dance music.
The biggest musical moment is still to come: Madonna, Shakira, and BTS are confirmed to co-headline the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium, in an eleven-minute show curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin and produced by Global Citizen. This historic performance will mark the first time a halftime show has been held during a World Cup final, a move that FIFA president Gianni Infantino said 'will elevate the tournament to new cultural heights.'
Madonna, who has not performed at a major sporting event in over a decade, is expected to perform a medley of her greatest hits alongside new material. Shakira, who has been a fixture at World Cup ceremonies since 2010, will bring her signature Latin energy. BTS, the global K-pop phenomenon, will make their World Cup debut, performing songs from their latest album alongside a special remix of 'Dynamite'. Chris Martin has promised 'a show that will bring together the past, present, and future of pop music.'
Beyond the final, FIFA has announced plans for ongoing musical events throughout the tournament, including fan festivals in each host city with performances by local and international artists. The World Cup music program is being overseen by a committee that includes Quincy Jones, Bono, and Lady Gaga, ensuring a high standard of artistry and cultural relevance.
Source: Forbes News