The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America is opening on a massive scale, and K-pop is taking a prominent place in the celebration. From the first notes of the opening ceremony to the final match halftime show, Korean artists are set to help soundtrack one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
EJAE and Lisa Bring K-Pop Spark to the World Cup
The tournament began on June 12, Korean time, with a high-profile opening celebration at Mexico City Stadium. In front of around 80,000 fans, Korean American songwriter and singer EJAE took the stage alongside Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli to perform “DNA,” an official celebration song for the tournament. The performance drew special attention because the song included Korean lyrics, bringing the sound and language of K-pop culture into the heart of the World Cup opening.
EJAE is already well known behind the scenes in the Korean music industry. She has worked on songs for major K-pop acts such as Red Velvet, aespa, TWICE, and LE SSERAFIM, building a reputation as a versatile creator with a strong sense of melody and global pop trends. More recently, she also contributed to the music for Netflix’s animated project KPop Demon Hunters, further expanding her presence in international entertainment.
For this World Cup, EJAE joined a global lineup of musicians including Andrea Bocelli, David Guetta, and Megan Thee Stallion in creating the official celebration music. Her role was especially meaningful because she personally wrote the Korean lyrics for “DNA.” Along with Lisa’s star power and the wider influence of K-pop, the opening ceremony showed how Korean pop music has moved from a regional phenomenon to a central part of global cultural events.
BTS to Close the Final With a Historic Halftime Show
The tournament’s closing spotlight will belong to BTS, who are scheduled to perform during the final on July 19 at New York/New Jersey Stadium in the United States. The group will appear as co-headliners with Madonna and Shakira, forming one of the most ambitious entertainment lineups ever connected to a World Cup final. Their appearance marks another milestone for K-pop on a global stage.
This will also be the first time a halftime show is introduced at a World Cup final, making the performance historic beyond the artists involved. The show is being planned by Chris Martin of Coldplay, a musician who has previously collaborated with BTS and is known for creating large-scale, emotionally powerful live performances. With FIFA and Global Citizen involved, the event is expected to combine music, spectacle, and a broader social message.
The halftime show will also help raise funds to support education for children around the world. That charitable purpose adds another layer of significance to the performance, turning the final into more than just the last match of the tournament. As BTS close the event, their stage will symbolize how music, sport, and global causes can come together in front of billions of viewers.
The 2026 World Cup is already the largest in history, with 48 teams, 104 matches, and host cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. But beyond the expanded format and record prize money, the tournament is also shaping up as a landmark cultural moment. With EJAE and Lisa helping open the celebration and BTS set to close the final, K-pop is standing at the center of football’s biggest global festival.