What should have been a crowning moment for BLACKPINK’s Lisa has instead sparked a firestorm of controversy.
On May 11, 2026, reports surfaced that Lisa is set to join an elite lineup including Katy Perry and Tyla for the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening celebrations at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
While her “LLOUD” management company expressed excitement over her involvement in the “biggest World Cup in history,” the announcement has been met with a wave of “scathing reactions” from both football fans and general music listeners.
The backlash centers on three main points: recurring lip-syncing allegations, comparisons to BTS’s Jungkook, and a resurfaced “snub” involving football icon Son Heung-min.
The most vocal criticism has come from non-K-pop fans and football traditionalists who are questioning the choice of a performer they claim relies heavily on backing tracks.
A representative from the FIFA organizing committee defended the choice, stating:
“Lisa was selected for her massive global reach and ability to bridge the gap between sports and Gen Z entertainment.”
However, this has done little to quiet critics on social media, who have been flooding platforms with the question,
“Will she be lip-syncing?”
Many have pointed to her 2025 Oscars performance as a point of contention, claiming that for an event as prestigious as the World Cup, “vocal authenticity should be non-negotiable.”
The “Jungkook Standard” and Accusations of Unoriginality
A significant portion of the backlash has evolved into a heated comparison with BTS’s Jungkook, who famously performed “Dreamers” at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Many fans of the boy group have accused Lisa of trying to “recreate a legacy” that has already been established by Jungkook, leading to viral “copycat” claims.
The debate has become so intense that it has transcended the fandoms, with sports commentators noting the high bar set by previous ceremonies.
Critics argue that while Jungkook’s performance felt like a cultural “first,” Lisa’s inclusion feels like a “safe, data-driven calculation” by FIFA to capture the Southeast Asian market.
Supporters, however, have been quick to hit back, labeling these comparisons as “misogynistic” and “unfair.”
They argue that as a global superstar in her own right, Lisa deserves the stage regardless of who performed four years prior.
“To say she is copying someone just by performing at the same world event is a massive reach,” one viral post defended.
This clash between fandoms has created a polarized environment surrounding the event, with many fearing that the online noise will overshadow the actual performance when she takes the stage before the U.S. vs. Paraguay opening match on June 12.
Resurfacing the “Son Heung-min Snub” and Team Tension
Adding fuel to the fire is the resurfacing of a viral clip from 2025 involving South Korean football captain Son Heung-min.
During a ceremonial coin toss at a friendly match, cameras caught a moment where some viewers believed Son “ignored” Lisa’s attempt at an interaction.
While both stars have previously dismissed any tension, football fans have brought the clip back into the spotlight to mock her involvement in the World Cup.
“She better hope Son isn’t there or she’ll get mogged again,” one popular comment read, reflecting a segment of the sporting community that remains skeptical of her presence in a football-centric space.
Furthermore, the backlash has a domestic layer following the 2026 Met Gala. A recent social media post by Emily Jang, the Creative Director for Lisa’s agency LLOUD, claimed that Lisa was “the only one who understood the assignment” at the event.
This was widely interpreted as a “shade” against her fellow BLACKPINK members, who also attended the Gala.
This has led to internal friction within the “BLINK” fandom, with many non-fans using the “unprofessional” comment to paint Lisa as an artist who is being unfairly prioritized over her group.
Between the vocal criticism and the internal team drama, Lisa’s path to the World Cup stage is proving to be her most scrutinized solo venture yet.
Stay tuned as FIFA is expected to release more details on the “Shared Heartbeat” concept of the opening ceremony later this month.
