Lisa of BLACKPINK has become one of the biggest talking points surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup, receiving both worldwide praise and intense criticism following her historic opening ceremony performance.
Lisa made history as the second K-pop solo artist ever to perform at a World Cup opening stage and the first female K-pop soloist to do so. On June 12 (local time), at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, the BLACKPINK member joined Anitta and Rema to perform the official World Cup 2026 anthem, Goals.
Following the performance, Lisa’s stage quickly became a global sensation. Her appearance generated explosive engagement on social media, surpassing 83 million views on China’s Weibo and over 9 million views on YouTube. Indian media outlets also extensively covered the performance, highlighting Lisa’s groundbreaking moment at one of the world’s largest sporting events.
On Weibo, a trending entertainment hashtag praising Lisa’s appearance “Lisa’s legs are so beautiful that even Photoshop couldn’t create them” amassed over 83 million views. One fan account wrote, “Indian media and fans are obsessed with Lisa. It’s surreal to think more than a billion people may have seen her stage.”
The music performance also boosted streaming numbers significantly. According to fan tracking accounts, Goals saw a sharp rise on Spotify immediately after the opening ceremony. The song reportedly jumped from around 649,000 daily streams to over 736,000 the following day, surpassing 16 million cumulative streams less than a month after release. Meanwhile, clips of the World Cup opening performance rapidly accumulated millions of views online.
Fans worldwide 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 her international influence, while others pointed out how her resume now stretches from Hollywood award shows to one of the most iconic stages in global sports.
Indian media also reacted enthusiastically. Some outlets described Lisa as making World Cup history as the first Thai artist to perform at the event, while others praised FIFA’s decision to bring together K-pop, Latin Pop, and Afrobeats on one stage, calling it a reflection of modern global music culture.
However, despite the global excitement, Lisa’s World Cup appearance also sparked major controversy.
In South Korea, some netizens criticized the performance, arguing it felt inappropriate for an event as prestigious as the World Cup opening ceremony. Critics claimed the song’s lyrics centered around luxury, wealth, confidence, and partying did not align with the tournament’s traditional values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and unity. Others argued the stage felt more like a music festival or nightclub performance than a symbolic sporting celebration.
The criticism did not stop there. Chinese netizens later pointed out what they believed was a minor choreography mistake during one group segment of the live performance. According to online discussions, Lisa briefly appeared to step out of formation, momentarily affecting the group alignment.
Still, supporters quickly came to her defense. Many viewers argued the mistake was barely noticeable and praised Lisa for immediately correcting her position without disrupting the performance. Fans pointed out that her quick recovery actually demonstrated her professionalism, composure, and stage experience under pressure.
As debate intensified, Lisa’s fans expressed frustration that the idol continues to face what they see as excessive scrutiny and malicious criticism online.
“It feels 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 World Cup promotional tracks of the tournament and receiving heavy dislike activity on YouTube.
In recent years, as Lisa’s global popularity has skyrocketed, criticism surrounding her career has grown alongside it. From her performances at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2024, Met Gala, Coachella, the Oscars, and 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.
Alongside 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
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