EJAE to Perform at the Opening of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. Singer EJAE will take part in the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. She will perform the tournament’s official anthem together with Andrea Bocelli. For the first time, K-pop will be part of a ceremony of this level.
The organizers of the 2026 FIFA World Cup have announced that singer-songwriter EJAE will participate in the tournament's opening ceremony in Mexico City. EJAE, known for her work on the soundtrack for the animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," will take the stage at Estadio Azteca ahead of the opening match between Mexico and South Africa. Joining her in the show will be the renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli along with invited artists.
The highlight of the ceremony will be the premiere of the official World Cup anthem — the song "DNA." According to EJAE, it is particularly important for her to represent Korea on the global stage and to include Korean lyrics in the song. She noted that her involvement in creating the anthem is connected to personal memories of the 2002 World Cup in Seoul, when the feeling of unity brought the city together.
FIFA emphasizes that "DNA" embodies solidarity and unity — the core values of the tournament, which will be held for the first time in history across three countries: the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Matches will be organized in 16 cities, with 48 national teams competing for the title.
K-pop will continue to feature at other stages of the tournament. In Los Angeles, at the opening ceremony of the American leg, Lisa from BLACKPINK and Katy Perry will perform. Lisa will present a collaborative track with Anitta and Rema — "Goals," which will be included in the official World Cup soundtrack. The tournament final in New Jersey on July 19 will, for the first time, be accompanied by a large-scale NFL-style show featuring BTS.
For Spain and Europe, the participation of artists from Asia and Latin America in key World Cup ceremonies reflects the growing influence of K-pop and global pop culture on sporting events. The FIFA World Cup traditionally draws the attention of millions of viewers, and musical performances have become an integral part of the ceremonies. In 2026, the tournament will, for the first time, unite three host countries, broadening the event's geographic and cultural diversity. According to FIFA, a record number of fans and high interest in new show formats are expected.
