BLACKPINK’s Lisa has become one of the biggest talking points surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup, receiving global praise and intense criticism following her historic performance at the opening ceremony.
Lisa made history as the second K-pop solo artist to perform on the opening stage of the World Cup and the first female K-pop solo artist to do so. On June 12 (local time), at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, the BLACKPINK member joined Anitta and Rema to perform the official anthem of the 2026 World Cup, Goals.
After the show, Lisa’s stage quickly became a global phenomenon. His appearance generated explosive engagement on social media, surpassing 83 million views on China’s Weibo and over 9 million views on YouTube. Indian media also covered the performance extensively, highlighting Lisa’s breakthrough moment at one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
On Weibo, a trending entertainment hashtag praising Lisa’s appearance “Lisa’s legs are so beautiful that not even Photoshop could create them” it has accumulated over 83 million views. A fan account wrote: “The Indian media and fans are obsessed with Lisa. It’s surreal to think that more than a billion people could have seen her stage.”
The musical performance also significantly increased the number of streams. According to fan reports, Goals saw a sharp increase on Spotify immediately after the opening ceremony. The song reportedly went from approximately 649,000 daily streams to over 736,000 the next day, surpassing 16 million cumulative streams less than a month after release. Meanwhile, clips of the World Cup opening performance quickly amassed millions of views online.
Fans around the world have flooded social media with praise. One user described Lisa’s appearance with the short but powerful phrase: “Lisa. Light. Legacy. FIFA World Cup 2026.” Thai fans celebrated his international influence, while others pointed out how his CV now extends from Hollywood award shows to one of global sport’s most iconic stages.
The Indian media also reacted enthusiastically. Some media described Lisa as the first Thai artist to perform at the event, as she made World Cup history, while others praised FIFA’s decision to bring K-pop, Latin Pop and Afrobeat together on one stage, calling it a reflection of modern global music culture.
However, despite the global excitement, Lisa’s presence at the World Cup also sparked great controversy.
In South Korea, some netizens criticized the performance, claiming it was inappropriate for a prestigious event such as the World Cup opening ceremony. Critics said the song’s lyrics focusing on luxury, wealth, confidence and partying were not in line with the tournament’s traditional values of teamwork, sportsmanship and unity. Others argued that the stage looked more like a music festival or nightclub performance than a symbolic sporting celebration.
The criticism didn’t stop there. Chinese netizens then pointed out what they believed was a minor choreographic error during a group segment of the live performance. According to online discussions, Lisa briefly appeared to drop out of formation, momentarily affecting the group’s alignment.
However, supporters quickly came to his defense. Many viewers argued that the mistake was barely noticeable and praised Lisa for immediately correcting her position without interrupting the performance. Fans pointed out that his quick recovery indeed demonstrated his professionalism, composure and experience on stage under pressure.
As the debate has intensified, Lisa’s fans have expressed frustration that the idol continues to face what they see as excessive scrutiny and harmful criticism online.
“It seems like no matter what Lisa does, people will always find a reason to attack her,” one fan commented.
Even before the World Cup ceremony, Lisa faced backlash when Goals was released. The song reportedly attracted significant criticism online, becoming one of the most polarizing promotional tracks of the World Cup tournament and receiving heavy dislike activity on YouTube.
In recent years, as Lisa’s global popularity has skyrocketed, criticism of her career has grown along with it. From his performances to Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2024Met Gala, Coachella, the Oscarsand now the World Cup, the Thai-born star has repeatedly faced scrutiny over her outfits, stage style, image and even allegations that she benefits from connections linked to her billionaire boyfriend.
Born in Thailand in 1997, Lisa, whose real name is Lalisa Manobal, rose to worldwide fame as a member of BLACKPINK, one of the most successful K-pop girl groups of all time. Since debuting with the group in 2016, she has become known for her powerful dance skills, magnetic stage presence and immense popularity on social media, where she boasts one of the largest followings among K-pop artists.
In addition to her group activities, Lisa has successfully built a solo career with internationally recognized releases. She is also a regular face at major fashion events, works with numerous luxury brands and is widely regarded as one of Asia’s most influential global pop culture icons today.
Sources: Nate
